A healthier snack to pull you out of your afternoon slump
I’m the biggest contradiction ever – when it comes to healthy eating that is. From 6am to 1 pm, I stay on track. I usually have the same thing for breakfast – yogurt (and sometimes granola) and lunch (almost always salad,) but as soon as I have that last bite of salad, I’m craving something else – and it always goes downhill from there.
That’s why I needed a healthier afternoon treat.
When I was making these, I was really worried that these wouldn’t satisfy my snack craving and, therefore, lead to more excessive snacking ( I know. I’m the worst.) Surprisingly, these did just the trick. I enjoyed every bite and stayed full until dinner – unlike my other sugar laden treats. (Don’t get me wrong though – I’ll still be snacking on lots of sugar – it’s in my DNA 😉 )
These bars are packed with healthier ingredients like coconut sugar, coconut oil, whole wheat flour, unsalted peanuts, raisins, oats and dark chocolate chunks. Oh- & of course banana!
{Healthier} Banana Bars
Author: Megan - The Emotional Baker
Serves: 24
Ingredients
- 4 overripe bananas
- 1 cup coconut palm sugar
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup peanuts, unsalted
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup oats
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking sheet.
- Mash bananas in large bowl. Once mashed, mix in oil and sugar.
- Add flours, baking soda and salt and mix into banana mixture.
- Fold in peanuts, raisins and oatmeal. Sprinkle chocolate chunks on top.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Do you have any secrets for staying full and not snacking all day? I need to know all your secrets 😉
Snacking all day, well, healthy snacking and eating a little here and there is actually better for you I’ve heard. . it’s what I do. . small things here and there. . and again, the key is portion. This way, you don’t go crazy at meal time and eat a ton. Some might argue that this doesn’t work for everyone, but I’ve always been a grazer. . and again healthier options like these banana bars are the way to go!!! also, what you are snacking on is important too . . if you want that “feeling full” feeling. . greek yogurt is good, almond butter. . I think it’s foods that are high in protein that keep you fuller longer. Here’s a list too: http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/nutrition/g876/foods-that-keep-you-full/?slide=2
Thanks so much, Alice, for taking the time to respond! I’ve been doing better this week, and I think my snacking was going overboard do to stress and not having enough calories at breakfast. Thanks again and I hope you’re having a lovely weekend 😉
I love these, a bit healthy and yet still a delicious treat and banana is one of my favourite flavours. I have a new linky running called #FamilyBakesAndMakes which these would be great for if you fancied joining in?
I’ll check it out, Jenny! Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂
So healthy and so delicious. My stepmom can’t eat dairy, so these would be a great alternative for her.
They would be, Erin! Thank you 🙂
Since these are healthy, that means I can eat half the pan, right? 🙂
Oh, you betcha 😉 Hey, I’d have the whole pan!
Those bars look & sound amazing! I love all things banana so I’m sure I’d love these! The fact that they are “healthier” is an added bonus!
Thanks so much, Katie!
Oh I love the looks of these, Megan! Banana bars are my favorite and I’m loving that these are healthier! I would definitely take two big squares of these. Yum!
Yay! Thanks Gayle 🙂
Love that these bars are healthier, but still loaded with chocolate and so flavorful!
Thanks Katalina!
I know you made these just for me! I love anything banana. And the fact that these bars are healthier just makes me all the better. Love!
Thanks Jen! I’m always making banana treats and thought it was high time I made a healthier version 😉
Your banana bars look terrific, Megan! Just what I need about mid-day—and I love that you’ve given them a healthy twist 🙂
Thanks Liz! Hope you’re having a nice weekend!
These bars look fantastic, Megan! Love that they’re healthier – they’re perfect for breakfast and once snack time rolls around.
Breakfast is a great idea, Kelly! Thanks for visiting!
Definitely looking for healthier sweets since pool season is coming up. These look delicious!
Oh, pool season, always messing up my snacking 😉 Thanks for visiting, Cathy!
By the end of the day, I always crave something sweet, and these are such a fun option!! Love that you healthified them.
Thanks Joanne! It’s not a day without something sweet 😉
These look so good, Megan! Those chocolate chunks on top totally have me sold. It’s a great after school snack option, too!
You’re right, Mir! Thanks for visiting 🙂
Hi Megan,
I see banana recipe’s everywhere on your blog and they are amazeballs! But this recipe right here is, I’m sure, not only tasty but serves a super important purpose- that afternoon snack attack. I can totally relate! Seems like we need more healthy snack recipes in the world. Thankya much!