Undoubtedly, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, a lot of people frequently skip it due to the endless rush that surrounds most mornings. Our parents and grandparents have always told us about the health benefits associated with breakfast as this meal renders a power-packed beginning to the day. A good breakfast can contribute to our health in more than one way as it regulates sugar levels, aids in maintaining one’s weight, and provides a host of other benefits. Thus, what could be better than indulging in some healthy breakfast bars in the early hours of the day?
Breakfast bars are convenient and can be the best to-go meal that one can toss into their bags. However, store-bought bars can be extremely undesirable as they contain sweeteners and other artificial ingredients. To stay away from these packaged foods, one can opt for home-made healthy breakfast bar recipes. They can be quickly mixed and stored for many days. People can have them for breakfast as well as for midnight snacks. Also, one does not need a lot of exotic ingredients or pre-preparation to make these yummy snacks.
Here are four healthy breakfast bar recipes that make for the most sumptuous meals:
Nutty bar
This breakfast recipe is a winning combination of nuts and dried fruits. It takes around one hour to prepare these breakfast bars. The ingredients used in this recipe are 1 cup of mixed almonds such as cashews, walnuts, and pecans, ½ cup of dates, ½ cup of dried fruits such as figs, cranberries, and raisins. All the ingredients must be added to a food processor and crushed until they form little crumbs. Pour the mixture on a flat plate before chopping it into 6-inch squares. One can store these nutty bars in the refrigerator for several weeks. This healthy breakfast bar recipe delivers a generous portion of protein, fiber, and natural sugar that can fuel one’s mornings.
Apple and cinnamon bar
The apple and cinnamon bar may not be very appealing to look at, but, it is a remarkably healthy breakfast bar recipe with some nutrient-dense ingredients. To make this healthy breakfast bar recipe, bake 2 cups of oats and 2 cups of pecans in a preheated oven until the nuts are toasted. Now place these ingredients in a food processor and toss in 1 cup of dates, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 2 cups of chopped apples. Blend the mixture until it is crumbly and forms clumps. Place it on a flat pan and spread it evenly. Bake it in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, make slices of this mixture. Voila! The bars are ready! Apple and cinnamon bars are rich in taste and have a great nutty flavor.
Choco peanut bar
Who is in for a chocolaty treat? A great way to reward oneself is to chow down some choco peanut bars, especially during chilly winter mornings. This recipe is loaded with protein and can put any other treat to shame. Begin by greasing a loaf pan with some cooking spray. Now grind 1 cup of rolled oats in a food processor until it has a flour-like consistency. Then, mix in some processed oats, 4 scoops of chocolate powder, ½ cup of quick oats, and ½ cup of rice crisps. In a small pan, add ¼ cup honey and ½ cup of peanut butter and stir until it melts completely. Remove this from the heat and pour in the oats mixture with 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Flatten this mixture on the loaf pan and leave it to cool before slicing it into bars. Ultimate chocolate lovers can drizzle some chocolate sauce over the bars. And then, it’s time to enjoy the choco peanut bars!
Raspberry whole-grain bar
Wheat has never been a top choice for treats, but indubitably, it has a host of essential nutrients. It delivers natural goodness, making the raspberry whole-grain bar a great healthy breakfast bar recipe. To make this recipe, preheat the oven to 375° F. Spread a foil sheet over a baking pan and spray some cooking oil on it. Add 2 cups of whole-wheat flour, ½ cup wheat germ, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 sticks of butter, and ½ teaspoon salt to a bowl. Whisk these ingredients together. Keep a portion of this mixture aside. Add the rest of it on the greased pan and press it into a flat base. Bake it for 15 minutes. In another bowl, lightly mash ½ cup fresh raspberry, ½ cup sugar-free raspberry jam, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Spread the mixture over the baked crust and spread the other portion of the wheat mixture on top of it. Let the recipe bake for another 20 minutes. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting these into the desired size. A cup of yogurt with this healthy bar recipe can make for a well-rounded morning meal.