Bar + Brownie Recipes « Clean & Delicious

Frozen Banana Dessert Bars

Dani Spies — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 12:44:01 +0000

These Frozen Banana Dessert Bars are easy to make, nutrient-rich and incredibly delicious. They taste just like a snickers candy bar, and are natural, healthy, nutritious way to satisfy your sugar cravings.

Need a quick snack after school or want a delicious and healthy dessert recipe? Make these Frozen Banana Snickers Dessert Bars! They could become your new favorite dessert. They have certainly become my daughter’s! She’s been making them for us all summer long.

These are easy to make, tasty, healthy, and bursting with nutty banana flavor. The best way to satisfy your sweet tooth and the perfect cool, refreshing treat for summer and beyond.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Healthy: This frozen banana snack bar is a more nutritious (but equally delicious) substitute for the traditional snickers bar that’s loaded with calories.
Easy and quick: These are super simple to make with just 6 basic ingredients. And you only need about 15 minutes of hands-on time to assemble them.
No cooking required: The most cooking that you’ll have to do is melt the chocolate in the microwave. It’s so easy!
Delicious: You will love how absolutely wonderful these banana bars taste. Satisfies that sweet tooth without the guilt.

Ingredients needed

This easy frozen banana recipe has a short list of ingredients consisting of things you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s the lineup:

Bananas: Two large bananas are needed for this recipe. Choose bananas that are ripe but still firm. If they’re not ripe enough, they won’t be very tasty. If they’re too ripe, they will get mushy.
Peanut butter: The taste of peanut butter is perfect with chocolate and bananas, but feel free to use any nut butters like almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter.
Dry roasted peanuts: For added crunch and nutty flavor! If you have a peanut allergy, you can sub with chopped almonds, cashews or sunflower seeds.
Chocolate chips: We typically use dark chocolate, but you can use semi-sweet chocolate or even white chocolate. To keep these bars vegan and dairy free, choose a chocolate without dairy.
Coconut oil: Mixed with the chocolate so it will melt and set easier. Use unrefined coconut oil to avoid the coconut taste.
Sea salt: To balance out the sweetness and really bring out all of the flavors.

How to make this recipe

This recipe is really straightforward with no baking or cooking required. Here’s the simple method:

For the full, printable recipe see the recipe card.

Prep: Line a quarter sheet pan with parchment paper; set aside. Peel and slice each banana in half lengthwise, and then horizontally.
Add peanut butter and chopped nuts: Evenly spread peanut butter amongst all eight banana pieces and sprinkle half of the chopped peanuts over top. Pop in the freezer for 45 minutes to set up.
Melt chocolate: Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave on low in 20 second intervals until melted, stir well.
Finish assembling bars: Drizzle half the melted chocolate over the peanut butter, top with remaining peanuts and then drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top.
Freeze to set: Place in freezer for 2 hours or until set and enjoy. Transfer remaining bars into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to one month.

Tips for recipe success

For best results, we recommend using ripe bananas that are still hard to touch or when you bite into them. Overly soft bananas will not work well for this recipe.
If you’re looking for chocolate chips with lower sugar, Lily’s chocolate has a stevia-sweetened chocolate chip option. They are a great high-quality chocolate chip that I definitely would recommend.
Frozen banana snacks should be kept in the freezer. They will “sweat” at room temperature and the chocolate can start melting if too warm.
Feel free to leave these at room temperature for about 10 minutes before eating, so they are not extra cold when biting into them.

Storage recommendations

Once frozen, keep them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to about one month.

More healthy desserts to try

If you make and enjoy these snack bars, be sure to leave a comment and ★ rating below letting me know how they turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for me and our Clean & Delicious community (thank you!).

Frozen Banana Snack Bars

These Frozen Banana Snack Bars are easy to make, nutrient-rich and incredibly delicious. They taste just like a snickers candy bar, and will satisfy your sugar cravings without feeling any guilt.

Course DESSERT, snack

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Freezing time 2 45

Total Time 2 55

Servings servings

Calories 139kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

2 large bananas
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts chopped
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1.5 tsp coconut oil
1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

Line a quarter sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. Peel and slice each banana in half lengthwise, and then horizontally.
Evenly spread peanut butter amongst all eight banana pieces and sprinkle half of the chopped peanuts over top. Pop in the freezer for 45 minutes to set up.
Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave on low in 20 second intervals until melted, stir well. Drizzle half the melted chocolate over the peanut butter, top with remaining peanuts and then drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top.
Place in freezer for 2 hours or until set and enjoy. Transfer remaining bars into an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to one month.

Video

Notes

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month.

Nutrition

The post Frozen Banana Dessert Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Almond Flour Brownies

Dani Spies — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:08:01 +0000

Melt-in-your-mouth almond flour brownies that are irresistibly fudgy and chocolatey! These flourless brownies are made with bananas, almond butter and almond flour making them gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.

Today’s clean and delicious sweet treat comes to you in brownie form. Except these aren’t your typical brownie. They are easy to make healthy brownies, that just so happen to be free of refined flours and suagrs.

They are made from just 6 key ingredients – bananas, almond flour, almond butter, egg, cacao powder, and chocolate chips. They are 100% gluten-free and just lovely served alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

I’ll definitely be recreating these yummy brownies as a special treat for Valentine’s Day!

ingredients for healthy brownies

This recipe could not get any easier! You probably already have all of the ingredients on hand! Here’s the lineup:

Bananas – The browner the better! You’ll need 3-4 brown bananas depending on the size. And if you don’t like bananas, no worries! You can sub applesauce.
Almond butter – I like to use all-natural organic almond butter that’s just roasted (or raw) almonds + salt. Feel free to swap in any nut butter you have on hand. If you’ll be serving to someone with a nut allergy, you can even use sunflower seed butter.
Egg – One egg will add structure and richness to these brownies! If you’re looking for a vegan option, you can try using 1 flax or chia egg instead.
Almond flour – Packed with protein and healthy fats, almond flour is a great gluten-free alternative to refined white flour.
Cacao powder – similar to cocoa powder, but less processed and more a bit more nutritious. . You can sub with cocoa powder, if that’s what you have in the pantry.
Baking soda – to ensure the brownies bake up properly.
Chocolate chips – use mini chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or dairy-free chocolate chips. You can even buy stevia sweeteend chips to cut back on extra sugars.

how to make almond flour brownies

Like all of my baking recipes, this is pretty straight forward. It’s what I like to call, ‘a-one-bowl-dump-and-stir’ recipe. My favorite kind! Here is all you have to do,

Preheat oven and prep baking dish. Set your oven to 350ºF and grease an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray, butter or coconut oil.
Mash bananas. Add bananas to a large bowl and use a fork to mash them against the side of the bowl. You can skip this if you are using applesauce.
Mix ingredients. Next, add in almond butter, egg, almond flour, cacao powder, and baking soda. Mix until well combined. You will have a nice, thick batter.
Add chocolate chips. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
Transfer batter and bake. Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips over the top, if desired. Bake for 30 minutes or until fragrant and set through.

That’s all you have to do! Easy enough, right?

tips

The browner the bananas, the better! Brown, overripe bananas are sweeter and we are relying on our bananas to sweeten the batter.
Not a fan of bananas? You can make this recipe with applesauce! Whichever you choose, you will need 1.5 cups.
If you’re looking for chocolate chips with lower sugar, Lily’s chocolate has a stevia-sweetened chocolate chip option. They are a great high-quality chocolate chip that I definitely would recommend.
It’s important to let the brownies cool completely before slicing. They are very fudgy, so if you cut them too soon, it will be a mess!
These brownies are great at room temperature, but I really love them straight from the fridge. I think they taste best cold, plus they last longer!

Looking for more delicious sweet treats?

If you make this healthy brownies recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how it turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for me and our Clean & Delicious community (thank you!).

Almond Flour Brownies Recipe

These delicious, fudgy brownies are made from bananas, almond flour, almond butter, egg, and cacao powder. They are 100% gluten-free and are perfect served with a cup of coffee or tea.

Course baked goodies, bars + brownies, gluten free

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings brownies

Calories 335kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

3 large bananas (1.5 cups mashed)
1/2 cup almond butter
1 egg
2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips plus extra for sprinkling on top!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray, butter or coconut oil.
Add bananas to a large bowl and use a fork to mash them against the side of the bowl until they are broken down. If you are using applesauce in place of the bananas, simply add it to the bowl.
Next, add in almond butter, egg, almond flour, cacao powder, and baking soda. Mix until well combined. You will have a nice, thick batter.
Gently fold in chocolate chips.
Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips over the top, if desired.
Bake for 30 minutes or until fragrant and set through. Cool completely before cutting into 9-12 squares. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

If you don’t eat eggs, you can easily swap in 1 flax or chia egg.
I like to store these brownies in the fridge. I think they taste best cold, plus they last longer!

Nutrition

The post Almond Flour Brownies appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Dani Spies — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:40:08 +0000

These pumpkin pie bars are the perfect healthy dessert for an autumn gathering. Made with pumpkin puree, coconut flour, maple syrup, and warm, cozy spices they’re gluten-free, grain-free, and oh so delicious!

If you like pumpkin pie, you will love the convenience of these pumpkin pie bars studded with chocolate chips. They have a light, custard-like texture just like pie but can be cut into squares just like a brownie.

They are perfect for dessert and equally delicious as a grab-n-go breakfast or afternoon snack with your favorite cup of coffee (pumpkin latte anyone?).

How To Make Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars

You can call this recipe a healthy dessert bar or even a healthy breakfast bar! Both names work and trust me, these pumpkin bars are way easier than making a pie.

Like most of my baking recipes, this is a one-bowl, dump-and-stir dessert.

Here’s all you need:

Coconut flour
Pumpkin puree
Maple syrup
Eggs
Pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon
Baking soda
Salt
Chocolate chips

Everything gets mixed together and then transferred into an 8×8, greased baking dish.

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 ºF, chill and enjoy!

It’s really just that easy!

Like this recipe? Here are other pumpkin recipes to try:

If you make this pumpkin baked oatmeal, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how it turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for me and our Clean & Delicious community.

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Bars

Try keeping some healthy pumpkin bars in your freezer! They make a dleicous snack and are delightful with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

Course baked goodies, bars + brownies, DESSERT, DIET, gluten free, paleo

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 167kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

15 ounce can of pumpkin puree
3/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 `cup chocolate chips*

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350ºF.
Grease and 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil, butter or cooking spray.
In a large bowl combine; coconut flour, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Transfer batter to prepared baking dish.
Bake for 45 minutes or until set thorugh and lightly golden brown on top.
Cool completely and refrigerator for a minimum of egt hours before cutting into nine pieces. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Be sure to buy dairy-free chocolate chips of you need the recipe to be 100% dairy-free.
For a more cake-like texture, swap the coconut flour with 1 cup of oat flour and eliminate the almond milk. I love this version for breakfast.
Be sure to store these bars in the refrigerator. They are best when eaten cold.
Experiment with different stir-ins. Dried cranberries, shredded coconut, pecans, and walnuts would all be delicious!

Nutrition

The post Pumpkin Pie Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Healthy Blondie Recipe

Dani Spies — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:32:13 +0000

This Healthy Blondie recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, and vegan friendly! The base is made with chickpeas and almond butter but you’d never know it! It’s a delicious, healthy dessert recipe that you can feel good about eating.

I love finding delicious ways to level-up my favorite desserts. These healthy chickpea blondies are a fun way to enjoy a healthier version of the classics.

It’s easy to do! Recipes like my avocado brownies and banana oatmeal cookies are great examples of how to incorporate nutritious ingredients into your favorite desserts without compromising on flavor.

As a matter of fact, the healthy versions are as delicious as the original recipes (hard to believe, but true!).

How To Make Healthy Blondies

There’s nothing better than a one-bowl-dessert. That’s what I love about this blondie recipe, all of the ingredients go right into a food processor (or blender) and you’re done. Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy.

Here’s what you do:

Combine chickpeas, almond butter, monk fruit, kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda in your food processor.
Blend until you have a thick batter.
Stir in chocolate chips (be sure to buy dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe 100% vegan).
Transfer to a greased, 8×8 baking dish.
Bake at 350 Fº for 30 minutes or fragrant, golden brown, and set through.
Cool, cut, and enjoy!

What’s the difference between a blondie and brownie?

The main difference between a blondie and a brownie is chocolate.

If you want to make this recipe 100% blondie, swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.

Are blondies meant to be gooey in the middle?

Yes! That’s the best part. This recipe actually reminds me of a gooey chocolate chip cookie.

And because the recipe is plant based, you can eat the raw dough! It’s 100% safe (and delicious!).

More Clean & Delicious Bar Recipes:

I’d love to know if you make this (or any) recipe! Tag @clean_and_delicious on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy, delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Healthy Blondie Recipe

These healthy, vegan blondies are a delicious, family-friendly dessert. They are perfect for lucnh boxes and lovely with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

Course bars + brownies, dairy free, DESSERT, gluten free, vegan

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings bars

Calories 136kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

1 15-ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 cup natural almond butter
1/3 cup monk fruit*
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips*

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil or cooking spray.
Combine chickpeas, peanut butter, monk fruit, salt, baking soda and baking powder in food processor and pulse until you have a thick batter.
Sprinkle in chocolate chips and gently stir until distributed throughout the batter (the batter will be thick).
Transfer into prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until fragrant, lightly browned and set through. Cool completely! Cut into 9 squares and enjoy.

Video

Notes

If you don’t have monk fruit, you can substitute any granulated sugar will work.
Be sure to buy dairy-free chocolate chips if you want to keep the recipe 100% vegan.
They will be easier to cut if you chill in the fridge first.

Nutrition

The post Healthy Blondie Recipe appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Banana Oatmeal Energy Bars

Dani Spies — Fri, 08 May 2020 17:05:14 +0000

Banana oatmeal energy bars are made with just 5-ingredients and make a delicious, quick and easy breakfast. They’re also great pre- or post-workout and lovely with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

The Clean & Delicious family loves bananas and oatmeal! My most popular recipes include this dynamic duo. For example, my banana bake oatmeal, 3-ingredient banana oatmeal cookies, banana oatmeal pancakes, and banana oatmeal muffin cups are all community favorites.

This makes sense since bananas and oatmeal are such a tasty combination. Add peanut butter to the mix and suddenly things got even tastier!

How To Make 5-Ingredient Energy Bars

This recipe is super easy to make! It’s free of refined flours and sugars and is 100% plant-based (no eggs, no dairy!).

Here’s all you need to do:

Mash the bananas with the back of a fork in a large bowl.
Add in oats, peanut butter, walnuts, and chocolate chips. I also like to add cinnamon and vanilla for extra flavor (if you have it on hand).
Mix until everything is combined and you have a nice thick batter.
Transfer to a greased quarter sheet pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Cool completely, slice, and enjoy!

Are Banana Oatmeal Energy Bars Healthy?

Banana oatmeal energy bars are made up of simple, wholesome ingredients and have a great balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

The combination of oatmeal, banana, and peanut butter is super satisfying and keeps you satiated for hours.

These bars make a great breakfast or workout snack and are great for long car rides. I especially love packing them for an afternoon hike or bike ride with my family.

More Clean & Delicious Energy Bars + Bites:

5-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Energy Bars

Banana oatmeal energy bars are made with just 5-ingredients and are a delicious breakfast when you need something quick and easy!

Course bars + brownies, BREAKFAST, dairy free, DIET, gluten free, oatmeal, vegan

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 233kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

3 large ripe bananas, 14-16 ounces
2 cups rolled oats, gluten free
1 cup creamy peanut butter, all natural
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chocolate chip*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 F and grease a quarter sheet pan with cooking spray or coconut oil.
Place bananas in a large bowl and mash with the back of a fork until they are broken down.
Add oats, peanut butter, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla and cinnamon.
Stir everything together until all of the ingredients are well combined and you have a nice thick batter.
Transfer the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and pat done until it's pushed into the corners, along the sides and even on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until they are fragrant, lightly browned on top and set through.
Cool completely. Slice into 16 bars by making one vertical slice and seven horizontal. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

*To keep this recipe 100% vegan, be sure to purchase vegan chocolate chips.

Stack the bars in an airtight container, with parchment paper in between so they don’t stick. They will last up to one week in the fridge and several months in the freezer.

Nutrition

The post Banana Oatmeal Energy Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Healthy Lemon Bars

Dani Spies — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 14:19:21 +0000

These healthy lemon bars are light, creamy and perfectly tart. The crust is made with whole wheat flour and the light lemon filling is 100% free of dairy and refined sugars. Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day or a summer cookout, this recipe will be your new best friend.

Healthy lemon bars make the perfect dessert for Easter, Mother’s Day or any time you are looking for a simple, delicious high quality sweet.

Made with everyday, wholesome ingredients; they are surprisingly easy to make and promise to be a crowd pleaser! I didn’t realize how much I liked lemon bars until I made this recipe. They are SO good and I can’t wait for you to give them a try.

How To Make Healthy Lemon Bars

Unlike refined white flours, whole wheat flour includes the wheat germ, the bran and endosperm – so it still contains all of its nutrients, plus its a great source of fiber and has 6 grams of protein per serving.

If you wanted a lighter texture for the crust, you can always do half whole wheat and half white flour. So as always, we’ve got options. Here’s what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Combine whole wheat flour, coconut oil, maple syrup and salt. Mix until a wet, but firm consistency (like shortbread) is formed.
Line an 8×8 ceramic pan with parchment paper.
Press dough into lined pan, making sure to press it out evenly and into the corners.
Bake for 20 minutes or until fragrant and set through. Let cool.
In the meantime, combine ingredients for filling and beat until smooth, liquid batter is formed.
Pour mixture on top of the cooled crust and bake for 30 minutes.
Cool, chill + enjoy!

Do I need to refrigerate lemon bars?

You can leave your lemon bars at room temperature for a few hours, but it’s important to store them in the refrigerator after that.

How long will they last?

These lemon bars will last up to 5 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.

Can you store them in the freezer?

Absolutely! I highly recommend you give frozen lemon bars a try on a hot summer day.

More Clean & Delicious Dessert Ideas:

I’d love to know if you try this (or any) recipe! Tag @clean_and_delicious on Instagram to let me know and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy, delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Healthy Lemon Bars

These healthy lemon bars are light, creamy and perfectly tart. Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day or a summer cookout!

Course bars + brownies, dairy free, DESSERT, nut free

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 124kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

Crust

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Filling

6 eggs
4 tsp lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup honey
1/4 tsp kosher salt
4 tsp coconut flour

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Crust

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, coconut oil, maple syrup and salt. Mix well until a wet, but firm consistence (like shortbread) is formed.
Line an 8×8 ceramic pan with parchment paper.
Press dough into lined pan, making sure to press it out evenly and into the corners.
Bake for 20 minutes or until fragrant, lightly browned and set through. Let cool.

Filling

While crust is baking, combine eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, salt and coconut flour. Beat with a hand mixer until a smooth, liquid batter is formed. It will be runny, but don't worry, this is they way it's supposed to be.
Pour mixture on top of the cooled crust and bake for 30 minutes. Cool completely then chill for 4 hours.
Remove bars from pan, cut into 16 squares and top with a shake of powdered sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

I used a ceramic baking dish lined with parchment for this recipe. I’ve found that glass pans tend to burn more easily.
The coconut oil can be swapped out for softened butter if you prefer.
When pressing the crust batter into the pan, make sure to press it all the way out to the edges of the pan and in to the corners.

Nutrition

The post Healthy Lemon Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Dani Spies — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 17:47:55 +0000

Peanut butter oatmeal bars are a no-bake recipe that uses just four ingredients and comes together in minutes. The combination of rolled oats, natural peanut butter, maple syrup and dried cranberries makes a wholesome and delicious sweet treat or breakfast on-the-go.

One thing I know for sure is that the Clean & Delicious family loves a good oatmeal recipe. Especially super easy oatmeal recipes like my 3-ingredient banana oatmeal cookies or these banana oatmeal muffins.

And I get it. Oats are not only nutritious (high in fiber, digest slowly and are naturally gluten-free) they are also insanely delicious. And if you don’t love them as much as I do; perhaps these 4-ingredient no-bake peanut butter oat bars will make you a forever fan.

How To Make Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Get excited, because it really is as easy as it sounds! Here’s how you make peanut butter oatmeal breakfast bars (or snack bars!).

Combine rolled oatmeal, peanut butter, maple syrup and cranberries in a large bowl.
Mix together until you gave a thick batter.
Transfer batter into an 8×8 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
Pop in the fridge for a couple of hours until the bars set up.
Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!

And just like that, you my friend, have learned how to make peanut butter oatmeal squares. This would be a great recipe to add to your weekend meal prep, so you have them ready to go for the week.

Tips for Making Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Choose an all-natural peanut butter with no added sugar or salt. Be sure to stir your peanut butter before measuring. It should be loose and pourable.
Be sure to look for gluten-free rolled oats if you want this recipe to be 100% gluten-free.
I recommend cutting them into small squares. They are super energy-dense, so one or two squares will really hold you over.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To have them last longer, store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Oatmeal Bars Variations

I really love these oatmeal bars with chewy dried cranberries BUT you can certainly switch things up if you prefer. Try stirring in chocolate chips, raisins and walnuts, or shredded coconut to change the flavor of the bars. Really, any type of stir-in you like or have on hand would be great. Just remember to keep the measurements at half a cup.

You can even change things up and make banana oatmeal energy bars, a peanut butter oatmeal snack bar with mashed banana, chocolate chips and walnuts.

So now that you know how to make these simple, delicious oatmeal bars, I can’t wait for you to try them!! And if you like recipes like this, be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel as well (it’s free!) and jam-packed with hundreds of step-by-step videos like the one below.

More Delicious Oatmeal Recipes To Try

Thanks so much for reading! You can watch the video down below and if you make this recipe I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below. And be sure to follow me on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and FaceBook for more healthy food inspiration!

No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These wholesome oat bars use just 4-ingredients and come together using just one bowl. Try adding them to your weekend meal prep to have on hand as a health head-start ingredient for a busy week.

Course BREAKFAST, snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Total Time 2 10

Servings squares

Calories 149kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

1.25 cups rolled oats, gluten-free
1 cup all natural peanut butter, unsalted
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.*
In a large bowl; combine oatmeal, peanut butter, maple syrup and dried cranberries.
Mix everything together until you have a thick batter.
Transfer batter into prepared baking dish.
Flatten using a spatula or your hands until the oat mixture is evenly distributed and even on top.
Chill for a couple of hours or until the oat bars have firmed up. Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*If you do not have parchment paper, you can grease the pan with coconut oil or cooking spray.

Nutrition

The post Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Dani Spies — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 13:54:30 +0000

If you like ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies, you are going to LOVE these Chocolate Chip Brownie Bars.

Using a combination of cashew butter, maple syrup, chia seeds and coconut flour these bars are free of all refined flours and sugars and are, dare I say, better then a traditional cookie (or cookie bar!).

I love packing them into lunch boxes but they are also perfect to bring along to a picnic or a cookout!

[ytp_video source=”DVojTEHkfSw”]

Continue Reading: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

The post Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Easy Black Bean Brownies (Made With Oat Flour!)

Dani Spies — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 13:05:27 +0000

Ultra-rich & fudge-y Black Bean Brownies are incredibly delicious and surprisingly healthy! They don’t contain any butter or refined sugars and they’re easy to make with oat flour, cocoa powder and black beans. This recipe is dairy free, gluten free and vegan and the perfect healthy treat or snack.

Back Bean Brownies have been on my mind for some time now! I just love the idea of leveling up a traditional brownie recipe by using a can of black beans and subbing in nutrient-dense oat flour for refined white flour.

Both black beans and oats are pantry staples in our house so this was easy to do. And while you can buy oat flour at the grocery store, making oat flour from scratch takes just 1-minute!

These brownies turned out rich, delicious, and decadent. A healthier, more nutrient-dense brownie that is made with love – what could be better?

Looking for more healthy brownie recipes? Try our Almond Flour Brownies and Avocado Brownies.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Easy to make: This brownie recipe is definitely low maintenance and the batter comes together in just a few minutes.
Perfect texture: Thanks to the black beans, these bars are incredibly fudgy and tender. We’re also using just 3/4 cup of oat flour for perfectly soft, chewy brownies.
Healthy: Aside from these being packed with fiber and antioxidants, they are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, contain no butter, and have just 1/4 cup coconut oil in the icing.
Everyone loves them! Kids and adults alike will go crazy for these healthy brownies.

Ingredients needed

This brownie recipe uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably have in your pantry. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Oat flour: Gives the brownie batter structure and bulk. Use certified gluten free oat flour, if necessary. You can sub with white whole wheat flour, as desired.
Cocoa powder: Adds a rich, chocolate flavor to the recipe and masks the taste of the black beans.
Baking staples: To ensure these bake properly and taste good, we’re adding in salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract.
Black beans: The base for our brownies. They create an ultra fudge-y texture and add protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Water: Needed to achieve the perfect consistency for the batter.
Pure maple syrup: To naturally sweeten the brownies. Agave would also work or even honey, if you’re not vegan.
Optional add-ins: We love to mix in chocolate chips for additional sweetness and chocolate flavor. Use a dairy free variety to keep these vegan. Chopped walnuts also give these a delicious crunch.
Icing: A simple icing is made with cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla.

How to make this recipe

Nothing complicated about making this sweet treat! Here’s the simple method:

Full, printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

Prep: Preheat oven to 350ºF and coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with coconut oil or cooking spray.
Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl combine oat flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
Blend wet ingredients: In a blender, combine black beans, water, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Blend until everything is combined and the beans are broken down. This will be a very liquid-y mixture.

Combine dry and liquid ingredients: Pour the bean mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well combined. Stir in the nuts and the chocolate chips.
Bake: Pour mixture into greased pan and pop in the oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean.

Make the frosting: While the brownies are baking, make your icing by simply combining the unsweetened cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla in a small bowl. Mix until you have a thick, rich chocolate icing.
Serve: Once the brownies have cooled completely, spread the icing all over the top of the brownies. Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!

Expert tips

Do not over mix: For major tenderness, you want to avoid overworking the brownie batter, once the flour has been added.
Do not overcook: Turn the timer to 30 minutes as soon as the brownies go into the oven. Once you begin to smell a strong chocolate scent, check the brownies. Even if this is at the 25 minute mark. Use a toothpick, stick it into the center, and pull it out. They need more time if there is wet batter on the toothpick. If there are a few moist crumbs on the toothpick, they are done. You really don’t want a completely clean toothpick.
Cool completely: It’s tough waiting for these to cool, but it will be worth the wait. They will slice up perfectly when cooled completely.

Storage recommendations

Store cooked and cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, and then in the fridge for a week or so, or in the freezer for 3 months.

To serve, thaw, if necessary, then enjoy chilled, room temperature, or warmed in the microwave.

We love these straight from the freezer, and then warmed quickly in the microwave, just long enough to get the ice-cold edge off.

More healthy dessert recipes

Looking for more delicious healthier treats? Give these favorites a try!

If you make these black bean brownies, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how they turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for me and our Clean & Delicious community (thank you!).

Easy Black Bean Brownies (Made With Oat Flour!)

Ultra-rich & fudge-y Black Bean Brownies are incredibly delicious and surprisingly healthy! They don't contain any butter or refined sugars and they're easy to make with oat flour, cocoa powder and black beans. This recipe is dairy free, gluten free and vegan and the perfect healthy treat or snack.

Course bars + brownies, DESSERT

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings servings

Calories 197kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

3/4 cup oat flour or white whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder sifted
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp baking powder
15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips* optional
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
cooking spray

Chocolate Icing

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp coconut oil melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF and coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with coconut oil or cooking spray. In a large bowl combine oat flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
In a blender, combine black beans, water, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Blend until everything is combined and the beans are broken down. This will be a very liquid-y mixture.
Pour the bean mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well combined. Stir in the nuts and the chocolate chips.
Pour mixture into greased pan and pop in the oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean.
While the brownies are baking, make your icing by simply combining the unsweetened cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla in a small bowl. Mix until you have a thick, rich chocolate icing. Once the brownies have cooled completely, spread the icing all over the top of the brownies. Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*Use dairy-free chocolate chips for vegan brownies.

Store cooked and cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, and then in the fridge for a week or so, or in the freezer for 3 months.

To serve, thaw, if necessary, then enjoy chilled, room temperature, or warmed in the microwave.

Nutrition

The post Easy Black Bean Brownies (Made With Oat Flour!) appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Homemade KIND Bars

Dani Spies — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 14:42:03 +0000

Scroll down to watch the step-by-step video.

Who doesn’t love a DIY copycat recipe?

There’s just something so fun and rewarding about making something from scratch that you would normally buy at the store.

These simple nut and seed bars are an exact replica of the ‘oh-so-popular KIND bar and a must try for anyone who loves the feeling of ‘homemade’.

I was inspired by TheYummyLife to make these bars. She has a great step-by-step photo demonstration that I found really helpful (and she shares other flavors as well). So if you are a visual learner, like me, be sure to use her photos and my video to help you make this recipe a success.

A few tips about this recipe:

Be sure your nuts are toasted. If you buy raw nuts, you can toast them at 350 in the oven for about 8-10 minutes.
You will need a candy thermometer, I like this one.
Once the syrup boils, it will cook for another 6-8 minutes or so before it reaches the desired temperature. Just stay with it so it doesn’t burn.
Spray your mixing bowl with some cooking spray before adding the nuts. I did not do this in the video but have done it since and it makes stirring and transferring a lot easier.
This recipe is pretty easy but you do want to work quickly and efficiently once the syrup is ready to go. I find it very helpful to have everything else set up and ready to go ahead of time.

I hope you get to give this a try! They are really delicious and super fun to make.

HELPFUL KITCHEN TOOLS:
1 /4 Sheet pan
Candy Thermometer
B rown Rice Syrup

Continue Reading: Homemade KIND Bars

The post Homemade KIND Bars appeared first on Clean & Delicious.