Almost Nutri-Grain Bars

My college roommate and I discovered this recipe years ago, and I’ve been adapting it ever since. You can make it a little sweeter and use it for dessert at a potluck, or a little less sweet and use it as a breakfast bar. Either way, it’s inspired by Nutri-Grain bars but without the wheat, milk, or soy allergens. In the future, I’m interested in trying a version with flax or other even healthier additions.

If you don’t need this to be gluten-free, you could substitute all-purpose flour for the GF flour and leave out the xanthan gum.

Ingredients

  • 1.25 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup GF flour
  • 1/2 teaspooon xanthan gum
  • 1/2 cup vegan brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (not sea salt)
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 mashed ripe banana
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (this is one lunchbox-sized single-serve cup)
  • 1 jar (10-12 oz.) fruit jam, such as apricot, peach, blackberry, blueberry, or raspberry
  • Canola oil or Earth Balance vegan butter for greasing the pan

My gluten-free baking flour mix

You can use this for most GF recipes, or use your favorite store-bought mix. I make this several cups at a time, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge so I’m ready for baking. Keep in mind that you will need to add xanthan gum to your recipes when you substitute this for all-purpose flour, since this mix does not have any yet.

  • 1 part brown rice flour
  • 1 part sweet sorghum flour
  • 2/3 part potato starch
  • 1/2 part tapioca starch

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Stand mixer or electric hand mixer (optional)
  • 8×12 glass baking dish (or 8×8 for thicker bars, 9×13 for thinner)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease the baking dish with canola oil or Earth Balance vegan butter.
  2. In the mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oats, GF flour, xanthan gum, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the same bowl: oil, banana, vanilla, and applesauce.
  4. Press 2/3 of the mixture evenly into the greased baking dish.
  5. Spread the jam evenly over the oat mixture.
  6. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.
  7. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
  8. Cool completely before cutting. Serve or freeze.

Source

Adapted from Carrie’s Cooking recipe for Almost Nutri-Grain Bars.