Low Fat Cereal Bars
Wholesome, satisfying, and irresistibly chewy, these Low Fat Cereal Bars are the ultimate healthy snack or breakfast option for busy days. Packed with nutrient-rich rolled oats, puffed rice cereal, and a touch of natural sweetness from honey and unsweetened applesauce, these bars strike the perfect balance between flavor and nutrition. A hint of ground cinnamon, bursts of dried cranberries, and optional chopped nuts add delightful texture and flavor complexity. Ready in just 30 minutes, this no-fuss recipe uses simple ingredients and is baked to golden perfection for a homemade, low-fat alternative to store-bought cereal bars. Perfect for on-the-go fuel or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, these bars are a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead option you’ll love having on hand!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 180 grams rolled oats
- 60 grams puffed rice cereal
- 120 milliliters honey
- 60 milliliters unsweetened applesauce
- 60 grams peanut butter (natural, unsweetened)
- 5 milliliters vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 50 grams dried cranberries (or preferred dried fruit)
- 30 grams chopped nuts (optional, such as almonds or walnuts)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, puffed rice cereal, ground cinnamon, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts (if using). Stir well to combine.
In a small saucepan, heat the honey, unsweetened applesauce, and peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly and evenly into the pan using the back of a spoon or your clean hands to ensure the bars hold together well.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking as this can make the bars dry.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
Place the bars on a cutting board and slice into 12 equal rectangles or squares. Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2060 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 60.1 g | 77% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.6 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 25 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 343.8 g | 125% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.6 g | 109% | |
| Total Sugars | 146.8 g | ||
| Protein | 54.6 g | 109% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 214 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 14.8 mg | 82% | |
| Potassium | 1504 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
