Morning Sunshine Bars
Start your day with a burst of wholesome energy by indulging in Morning Sunshine Bars—a delightful blend of nutrient-packed ingredients and natural sweetness. These homemade granola bars feature a hearty base of old-fashioned rolled oats, crunchy chopped almonds, and chewy dried cranberries, perfectly balanced with the nutty richness of natural peanut butter and a drizzle of honey. A sprinkle of shredded coconut, chia seeds, and a dash of warm cinnamon elevate the flavor profile, while the no-fuss preparation makes them ideal for busy mornings. Baked to golden perfection in just 15 minutes, these easy grab-and-go breakfast bars are a healthier alternative to store-bought granola bars, providing sustained energy to fuel your day. Perfect for meal prepping, they stay fresh for days and are as tasty as they are nutritious.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 0.5 cup almonds, chopped
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.25 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 0.5 cup natural peanut butter
- 0.3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped almonds, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, and chia seeds. Stir to mix evenly.
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable, about 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the ground cinnamon and salt.
Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or the flat surface of a measuring cup to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the bars are slightly firm to the touch.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. This may take 1-2 hours to ensure the bars hold together when sliced.
Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into 10 bars.
Store the Morning Sunshine Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2298 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 116.9 g | 150% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.4 g | 137% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1129 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 273.0 g | 99% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 45.5 g | 162% | |
| Total Sugars | 124.9 g | ||
| Protein | 65.8 g | 132% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 458 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 13.1 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 1874 mg | 40% | |
*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.
