Banana Oatmeal Energy Bars
Author: 
Recipe type: Snack
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 24
 
These bars are a cross between a granola bar, muffin and energy bar. They are a nutrient-dense snack but they satisfy a cookie and overall sweet tooth craving.
Ingredients
  • ½ cup wheat germ
  • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
  • ½-3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup mashed banana, (roughly 1 large banana)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 cups oats
  • 3 Tbsp flax seeds
  • ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
  1. Beat the yogurt, sugar, eggs, mashed banana and vanilla in a mixing bowl.
  2. Gradually add the whole wheat flour, wheat germ and baking soda.
  3. Stir in the flax seed, oats and then the chocolate chips.
  4. Pour the batter into a foil-lined 9 x 13-inch pan and a foil-lined 8 x8-inch pan {or two 9x13 inch pans for slightly thinner bars}.
  5. Cook the bars for 7-8 minutes at 375 degrees or until the top of the bars starts to turn light golden brown and springs back to the touch but being careful not to overbake them to ensure that they stay moist in the center. They will set a little bit as they cool.
  6. Let the bars cool in the pan for ten minutes and then cut them into bars or use a cookie cutter to cut them into shapes.
Recipe by Itsy Bitsy Foodies at http://itsybitsyfoodies.com/homemade-energy-bars/