Grab ‘n Go Gluten Free!

I recently told my blog followers that I was just so surprised to now be the “go to girl” for recipes and food adaptations. It really blows me away, particularly since I cooked for functionality and not fun only two years ago. It says so much that now, after a horrible day at work, I find solace in my kitchen and creating test recipes which I hope to be yummy treats.

This recipe is one such evolution after a horrible day at the office. A colleague recently asked me to formulate a low fat granola bar that did not possess the 10 tablespoons (!!!!) of butter another recipe called for. 10 tablespoons!!! I don’t think I would consume that in a year and it definitely was not necessary so I was ready to create something that would be delicious, guilt free, and easy to assemble.

The chief culinary consultant and the two teenagers all tested the bars after they had cooled with very favourable results. This recipe is super adaptable and I’ve already made one even lower calorie cranberry tang version using my newest obsession, dates. Substitutions are up to you as the combinations are endless for this treat that easy to grab ‘n go!

 Grab ‘n Go Baked Granola Bars – (12 small bars)

1 cup wheat free oat flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill oats in the food processor)
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
½ tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp ultra light margarine or butter at room temperature
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup honey
¼ cup applesauce
½ tsp vanilla
2 cups wheat free oats
¼ cup white chocolate chips
¼ cup sultanas
¼ cup chopped nuts (I used peanuts)

Preheat oven to 180 and line an 8 x 8 (or 9 x 9) pan with baking paper. Process 1 cup of wheat free oats to make fine oat flour.

In a medium bowl combine the oat flour, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon. In a larger bowl, beat together the margarine and brown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until combined.   Add the egg and mix. Mix in the honey, applesauce and vanilla and beat until just combined.  

Stir in the oat flour and oats with a wooden spoon or spatula until fully combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, sultanas and nuts. 

Spoon into prepared pan and flatten to make even and bake for 20-23 minutes until edges are golden brown.   Cool on a wire rack and place in the fridge to set before cutting. I cut mine into 12 pieces with a bread knife to help maintain shape.  

Enjoy the grab ‘n go flavour that you can change over and over again to give your family variety for this healthy snack.

PS – the day after I made these they were GONE!!!! The 6 foot teenager ate them for breakfast.  When I asked why since there was toast or cereal, he replied they were delicious and NO EFFORT

Follow these topics: bars and slices, Breakfast, Snacks