Oat & Cranberry Snack Bar
With the first school term of 2020 just around the corner, the daily stress of filling the school lunchbox is also on its way. So, I thought I would share this tasty lunchbox snack, which is also dairy, wheat and nut free.
I am very passionate about creating a nourishing lunchbox, coming up with new ideas that will excite kids is a regular challenge I love to tackle. Growing up my siblings and I felt a little dejected when it came to our school lunchboxes. Watching our friends munch their way through their pre-packaged treats, broke our hearts. Maybe I am being a little dramatic. However, we did dream of opening up our lunch box and seeing a pack of pizza shapes and a roll-up. Instead, our homemade dehydrated fruit straps, vegie sticks and vegemite covered crackers would be unwrapped from brown lunch paper. All the while hoping for a lunch exchange offer to come along, but it never did. As I got into the high school years and progressed in my netball, I got a better understanding of nutrition. Along with this I became grateful and appreciative of my mum’s thoughtful lunchbox efforts. I know I will do the same for my children.
These bars are the perfect replacement for store bought muesli bars, which are often filled with sugar and other nasty additives. I am also pretty sure they come with more packaging than substance. These homemade muesli bars are high in fibre, healthy fats and jam packed with wholesome ingredients. This snack is sure to keep the kids satisfied and full of energy to play and learn for the entire day. So, take some time ‘oat’, and make these bars with your kids for their first week back at school.
SERVES: 12
PREP: 20 MINS
COOK TIME: 20-25 MINS
INGREDIENTS LIST:
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup oat bran
¼ cup brown rice flour (any flour will work)
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup tahini
½ cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup sultanas
½ cup cranberries
1/3 cup pepitas
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
½ cup desiccated coconut
½ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 150C. Line a baking tray and set aside.
In a bowl, mix together, oats, bran, flour, seeds, desiccated coconut and dried fruit, then set aside.
Melt coconut oil, tahini, honey and vanilla in a large saucepan over medium heat. Gently stirring until combined.
Remove from heat and add dry ingredients to saucepan and combine well. If adding chocolate chips, allow the mixture to cool a little before adding.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking tray, use the back of a spoon to press into tray.
Place in oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
Once baked, allow to cool and cut into bars.
