These oatmeal bars are a perfect choice for a nutritious and convenient start to your day, or as a healthy snack. The blend of peanut butter and oats ensures a fulfilling experience, while natural sweeteners like ripe bananas, honey, and blueberries add just the right touch of deliciousness. Additionally, the inclusion of oats, whole-wheat flour, and chia seeds provides a substantial amount of fiber, which is beneficial for digestion and helps maintain satiety for longer periods.
Crafting these delectable bars involves a straightforward, three-stage method. First, prepare the flavorful blueberry-chia seed jam by gently mashing and heating blueberries, then stirring in chia seeds and a touch of honey until a thick, jam-like consistency is achieved. Concurrently, combine the dry ingredients—oats, flours, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt—in one bowl, and the wet ingredients—mashed banana, peanut butter, milk, applesauce, egg, vanilla, and the remaining honey—in another, ensuring a well-blended mixture without any remaining dry pockets. The final assembly involves layering half of the oat batter in a baking pan, dolloping with the blueberry mixture, adding the remaining oat batter, and then topping with additional peanut butter and blueberry dollops, artfully marbled for an appealing finish. Bake until the edges pull away, then cool and cut into squares for serving.
For optimal enjoyment and to preserve their freshness, these bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Alternatively, for extended preservation, they can be refrigerated for as long as five days. This recipe offers a delightful combination of taste and health benefits, making it an excellent addition to your meal rotation. Embrace this simple yet elegant recipe, and let its wholesome ingredients fuel your day with vitality and joy.
