Breakfast Bars

Quick Breakfast Bars Recipe

Ingredients

- 2 cups rolled oats

- 1 cup nut butter (e.g., peanut butter or almond butter)

- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

- 1/2 cup dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, or apricots), chopped

- 1/2 cup nuts or seeds (e.g., chopped almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds)

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

- A pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped dried fruit, nuts or seeds, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, gently warm the nut butter and honey (or maple syrup) until they are easy to mix. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the warm nut butter mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Stir well until everything is thoroughly combined.

Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press it down firmly and evenly.

Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.

Cool: Allow the breakfast bars to cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes.

Cut into Bars: Once the bars have cooled slightly, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and cut into bars of your desired size while they are still slightly warm.

Final Cooling: Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack or the cutting board. This helps them firm up.

Enjoy: Once completely cooled, your homemade breakfast bars are ready to enjoy! Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Feel free to customize these breakfast bars by adding ingredients like chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or your favorite spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Enjoy your quick and nutritious breakfast bars!