,

From the USANA Test Kitchen: Snack Time

It’s back to school time, which means life is moving at a faster pace. Having healthy snacks available, not just for our kids, but for ourselves, too, will make sure we have the energy to keep moving. I have been trying a few new recipes to see what I can have at home for either a quick and healthy breakfast or an after school snack.

These Oat Bars* are a simple, easily-adaptable recipe that has been a favorite for a few years. My latest kitchen experiments have involved adding Nutrimeal and Fibergy to the recipe. I have had lots of success, and am excited to share the recipe with you.

Vanilla-Strawberry Oat Bars

Photo by Raji Barbir

Ingredients
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tbsp French Vanilla Nutrimeal
1/2 tbsp. Fibergy Plus
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup corn oil
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup strawberry fruit spread (either unsweetened or no-sugar added)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients together (flour through sea salt).
Add maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
Press 1/2 of the mixture into a bread pan.
Spread jam over the bottom layer.
Cover the jam with the rest of the mixture to create a top layer.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until light, golden brown.

Gluten-free version: Chocolate Oat Bars w/Mixed Berry Jam

Ingredients
1/4 cup quinoa flour**
1/4 cup brown rice flour**
1 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats**
2 1/2 tbsp Chocolate Whey Nutrimeal
1/2 tbsp Fibergy Plus
1/2 tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup corn oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup mixed berry fruit spread (either unsweetened or no-sugar added)

Preparation
Same as Vanilla-Strawberry Oat Bars.

These are super delish, so you will have to resist eating them right away. Do try to let them cool a bit before eating them.

The recipe is very forgiving, so have fun experimenting with different flavor combinations. And, if you prefer a bar that is thinner, you can easily use a small, square baking dish (8” x 8”); simply reduce the cooking time to 20-25 minutes.

I store them in the refrigerator, individually wrapped to easily take them on the go, or in an air-tight container on your counter.

Don’t forget to make sure your kids are getting an extra boost from their Usanimals, BodyRox, and BiOmega Jr.

I hope you and your family enjoy these recipes. Please share your healthy snack ideas in the comments below.

*Recipe adapted from “Really Yummy Oat Bars,” Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics, Jessica Porter.

**I found all of my gluten-free baking supplies right at the grocery store. Bob’s Red Mill offers a great selection. Check you local grocery store, I am sure they have this brand on the shelves.

Eating well is an important part of being healthy. From the USANA Test Kitchen is a monthly column offering useful nutrition tips, as well as delicious, healthy recipes that use USANA products in creative ways.

We’re proud to bring you the freshest content on the web! Follow USANA on Twitter, like our USANA Facebook page and enjoy the latest videos on the official USANA YouTube channel.

USANA True Health Foundation

Learn what USANA is doing to make the world a better place.

Discover what USANA products can do to boost your health today by taking this brief online Health Assessment.

7 replies
  1. Allan
    Allan says:

    These recipes and other blog material are great and useful. For us computer ‘dinosaurs’ who like to have a hard copy of information an easy PRINT option would be wonderful.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.