If you're looking for a freezer-friendly and healthy breakfast for the kids then look no further than these Berry Breakfast Bars.
They're pretty quick and easy to make, you can vary the filling and they can be eaten on-the-go - perfect for those mornings that don't exactly go to plan but you still want the kids to have a good breakfast.
Some other grab-and-go breakfasts include: Muesli Bars Made From Packet Muesli, Banana Nut Oat Bars & Breakfast Bars With Date & Apple.
Quick look at Berry Breakfast Bars
- ⏲️ Ready in 30 minutes.
- 🛒 Ingredients: 9 (with lots of variations)
- 🍽️ Makes: 18 small bars.
- 🧑🍳 Difficulty: Easy.
- 🗃️ Make ahead: Store for 3 days air-tight or 3 months in the fridge.
I have never had a Poptart. Well not any time that I can remember anyway.
I remember Mum not letting us have them because she’d heard the filling gets ridiculously hot even when the outside is cool and kids have suffered terrible burns from them.
Ahh the things you think about when you're a mum right?
I’d say that was her excuse but the real reason was that they were full of rubbish she didn’t want us to eat (fair enough Mum!).
I wouldn’t want my little guys eating them either - are they even still available? - but I do see that the convenience factor is high.
They’re basically a full breakfast you just grab, throw in the toaster and serve. Easy peasy.
You'd probably get more nutritional value from them eating a piece of cardboard though.
I’ve got a recipe today that is just as easy peasy but actually ticks most of the nutritional boxes that breakfast should.
Why make Berry Breakfast Bars
Fruit - check
Healthy fats - check
Good carbs - check
Protein - at least more than a pop tart
Delicious - check
Passes the kid test - check
These berry breakfast bars are perfect as a quick breakfast for anyone from toddlers to big kids like me.
Recipe Ingredients
- Berries - use fresh or frozen. You can use a mix or just one type of berry.
- Flaxseed meal - you can use almond meal instead.
- Oats & flour - or just flour or just oats.
- Coconut oil - or use butter.
- Honey - or maple syrup.
How to Make Berry Breakfast Bars
Step 1 - Place the berries in a saucepan and heat over medium head, stirring until softened.
Step 2 - Add half the honey and mix it through then continue to heat until thickened.
Step 3 - Place flour, oats, flaxseed meal & baking powder in a food processor and whiz into a flour.
Step 4 - It should be nice and fine.
Step 5 - Add the vanilla, coconut oil, rest of the honey & egg and whiz again until it comes together. You may need to add a little extra coconut oil to help it come together.
Step 6 - Press the dough together and turn onto a sheet of baking paper then cover with another sheet.
Step 7 - Roll it out into a rectangle until quite thin - about 30x20cm.
Step 8 - Cut lengthways into 3 long pieces.
Step 9 - Spread the berry mixture down the middle of each piece of dough.
Step 10 - Fold the dough up to enclose the berry filling and then turn onto the seam.
Step 11 - Cut up into smaller bars (we do 6 per row).
Step 12 - Transfer to a lined baking tray seam-side down and bake at 160C fan-forced for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
Step 13 - They won't change colour too much but will start to brown at the ends.
Step 14 - Transfer the berry bars to a wire rack to cool completely.
They freeze really well so you can make a big batch then just defrost whenever you need a quick, easy, healthy breakfast.
They’d also be great for breakfast on the go. Well maybe more for us than little kids.
They would seriously mess up a car seat as their a bit crumbly but perfect for at the table.
Now I know the recipe is a hit I’m working on some more filling ideas. I’m thinking apple pie would be rather delicious or maybe a pumpkin pie version when pumpkins are in season?
What about you? Have you ever had a pop tart?
Recipe
Berry breakfast bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen berries preferably organic
- 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅓ cup flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 free-range egg
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1-2 tablespoon full-fat milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160C (320F) fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Start by making the jam - place the berries in a medium pot and heat, stirring every now and then so the bottom doesn’t burn, until the berries break down (about 15 mins). You may need to smoosh the berries with the back of a spoon to break them.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the honey and stir it through.
- Make the dough by placing the flour, oats, flax seeds and baking powder in a food processor, blender or Thermomix and processing until it is the consistency of flour.
- Whisk together the rest of the honey, vanilla, egg and melted coconut oil.
- If you used a food processor or Thermomix, add the honey mixture to the flour and process until it forms a ball (you may need to add a little of the milk to bring it all together). Otherwise, tip the flour into a large bowl, add the honey mixture and stir until it forms a dough, adding flour if needed.
- Tip the dough out onto a large sheet of baking paper and roll it out to a 25x30cm rectangle.
- Cut the dough in thirds long ways and then spread the middle third of each sheet of dough with the jam.
- Fold the bottom third of the dough over the jam and then fold the top third down to close it.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into 6 bars by pressing the knife down rather than sawing.
- Place the bars seam-side-down on the baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes or until just golden.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze (I put them in a ziplock bag).
Claire Cameron says
The perfect healthy grab-and-go breakfast for little kids.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I remember the first time I had one. I had built it up in my head so much but they tasted like cardboard. I'd say these were heaps better! :D
Mary Frances says
Your berry bars looks so fresh and yummy!! I'm sure these are better than readymade nutrition bars. Definitely have to try this.
Claire says
Hope you like them Mary!
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
These look great! I've been experimenting with making my own granola bars so these are right up my alley!
Claire says
Enjoy Mary!
Hotly Spiced says
I've never had a pop tart either. I think you can still buy them in the US. I much prefer your homemade version. These look really tasty and it's good to know they're so good for you. Enjoy your time with your precious new baby xx
Claire says
Thank you Charlie!
Nelle says
These look lovely. I am slightly adverse to dragging the food processor out, but should do for these. I still predominantly lurk on your website, but I am book marking recipes. My children are fussy. I think they'll like your food. I think of you. It is exhausting creating a whole new person, it is hard work. Looking after a toddler is a full time job in itself. Caring for a newborn is also totally demanding. You are going to be doing both. I wish you and your family well. I'll miss your blog posts, but am glad you are taking a break from your blog.
Claire says
Thanks so much Nelle. Yes it is going to be tough (lucky I have my husband here at the moment) but totally worth it! Blog posts will be back in a month so stay tuned.