Oatmeal Applesauce Banana Breakfast Bars

These were good, and I liked the idea of including them in my collection of healthy snack recipes for variety. But they turned out super-soft. As in, fall apart when you try to cut them soft. And they had fully cooled. I think if I try these again I will add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time. Also, I am leaving them out on an uncovered platter right now. Hopefully after a few hours, they may firm up.

Ingredients

• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup oat flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or caramel or almond extract)
• 1/2 large banana, mashed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly coat an 8×8 inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together oats, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the milk, applesauce, egg, honey, peanut butter, and vanilla (or caramel or almond extract).
3. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir to combine . The batter will be very wet. Fold in banana, then pour into the prepared baking pan.
4. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until thickened and golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool, cut into bars, and serve.