Banana Muesli Bars are quick and easy to make healthy snack for kids and adults that your kids will surely love. They're perfect for lunchboxes and freeze well.
Finding quick, easy and nutritious snacks that the kids will actually eat can be a challenge but my banana muesli bars might just be the answer you've been looking for.
As a newborn mum with a 6 and 4.5 year old, if a recipe ticks all of those boxes then I will add it to the regular rotation for as long as the kids will still eat it.
I first made them when my big boy quit his morning milk.
He'd still wake up ravenous and hangry (got that from his Mumma) so I had to come up with something quick that would fill him up to replace the milk or at least give me a chance to make the rest of his breakfast.
And so banana muesli bars were born.
I think they taste and smell just like banana bread.
I also love that I can throw in as many goodies as I can possibly manage so he gets maximum nutritional bang for buck.
I throw in every nut and seed I can find instead of just the one type of nut in the original recipe.
It also means if you need to make them nut-free muesli bars for school or kindy then there's no issue - just leave out the nuts and go for all seeds.
I also added some apricots and goji berries to the date mix.
You could really mix them up with whatever you have on hand.
Tip
When there was a phase where I couldn't be without muesli bars (seriously life would not have been worth living!) I came up with a little hack to make whipping them up even faster.
This way you can have a few batches of 'pre-mix' ready to go.
- Measure out the oats then add the chopped nuts/seeds and dried fruit.
- Pop in a jar or container in the fridge.
- When you want to make the bars, just mash up your banana, add the pre-mix and bake!
They freeze and defrost really well so you could grab one on your way out the door in the morning and have a delicious, healthy morning tea ready in your bag when hunger strikes. Enjoy!
What about you? What are your tricks for getting the housework done in record time?
ps I am taking the next couple of days off (Will has some time off work, yay!) but don’t worry, I’ll be back with more deliciousness next week.
Recipe
Recipe
Banana muesli bars
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup mixed chopped dried fruit (I use dates, apricots, sultanas, cranberries and goji berries)
- ¼ cup chopped nuts - I use a combination of everything I can find including linseed and chia seeds and chop them almost into a meal in the Thermomix
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C fan-forced and grease and line a 20cm (8”) square tin.
- Mash the bananas until smooth then stir in the rest of the ingredients using a spatula.
- Spread the mixture into the tin and press down on the top and smooth it out.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Leave in the tin for 5 minutes then take out of the tin and cut into bars and leave to cool.
Hotly Spiced says
I'm glad he's enjoying daycare and I can totally relate to time disappearing very quickly between drop-off and pick-up. You feel like you have to run around on fast-forward for the hours they're there. I love the look of your muesli bars - beautiful presentation xx
Claire says
Yes fast forward is exactly what it's like! x
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
My trick is a cleaning lady. :)
I can't wait to try these bars. I love the banana idea. I wouldn't have thought of adding banana because I guess I thought it would get icky. You're my kitchen guru!
Claire says
Haha Maureen I actually have cleaners! Love them! Yes I would have thought it would be icky too but it seems to bake nicely.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I don't think I've ever had banana in a muesli bar but it would be so delicious! :D
Claire says
Yep just like banana bread in bar form!
Chris Scheuer says
Claire these look wonderful. They'd be great to take on a hike or bike ride for extra energy.
When Nick was little and went to Mother's morning out I was just like you, scurrying around busy as a bee. But every now and then I would just come home and take a long snooze until it was time to go back and get him. I didn't get much done those days but it was just what I needed to get me through the next week.
Claire says
Chris I think I might need to do that one daycare day. I will admit one day I all I wanted to do was sit on the couch and watch a movie. I will have to treat myself before the baby arrives.
Nelle says
I have been following your adventures a long time. I feel embarrassed as if I've somehow been stalking you! I am really interested in trying your breakfast bars. I have difficulties with my children's diet, so they could help. Although my children are all at school. I always felt awkward about commenting and then when I did so, asking another blogger a question, which was kindly answered, I never thanked them, as one of the children became suddenly ill. Fortunately my child quickly recovered (more quickly than I did in fact) but I have always felt funny about commenting since. All the best for your endeavours and your family.
Claire says
That's so sweet Nelle! Don't feel funny at all! Thanks for your lovely message and that's not stalking at all!