SERIES- “LUNCH BAG FOOD”- Part 1: FRUIT & OAT BAR RECIPE -dairy, nut, gluten, egg and sugar free

I loathe making kids lunches. But what I loathe even more than making lunches is coming up with kids healthy lunch box ideas. It’s never-ending. I dread it every day, all year-long and I’m sure there are many other parents out there that are just like me. So, if you are one of those parents (or not a parent, but just generally hate making lunches), I want to offer you a few more lunch bag food ideas over the next few weeks.

School is in again and although that comes with its own set of benefits, sadly, my lunch holiday is over. However, I am determined to go into this school year armed and that is precisely why I am starting September with this series: “Lunch Bag Food”. 

Dairy, Nut, Egg, Gluten and Sugar-free (no added sugar):

Although this recipe is not going to change your life (sorry, you still have to make lunches 🙁  ), it will give you something fast and healthy to add to your arsenal. You can make it ahead, freeze it, then throw in it in the kids lunch bag for a healthy and easy dessert or morning snack (they defrost pretty quickly). Aside from being free of just about everything allergy related or bad for you, these bars are also portable and freeze well. And it’s a great way to use up some of those frozen bananas in your freezer! 

TERRI’S TIP: Peel your bananas BEFORE freezing them, then stick them in a ziplock baggie (you can cut them in half) and label them with the date. Yes, this seems like a no-brainer but I didn’t think to do it for years (until a friend mentioned it) and would always have these frozen hockey puck-like bananas flying out of the freezer (they are awkward and slippery when frozen) and landing on my toes – ouch! Then I got minor frostbite whenever I had to peel them! This will make your life much easier. 

If you don’t have to make lunch for your kids, lucky you! But if you still have to pack a lunch for yourself, give this recipe a try. I love these bars and pack them regularly in my own lunch bag.

Happy back to school baking and lunch making!

Here’s another great lunch bag snack:

Blueberry Cornbread Recipe

TERRI’S AMAZON PICKS:

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Oat & Fruit Bar Recipe

Kids healthy lunch box idea:- nut free, sugar free, egg free, gluten free and dairy free bar.

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine North American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

Servings 18 servings

Calories 163 kcal

Author Recipe altered slightly from: Sugar Free Mom's: Oat and Fruit Breakfast Bar

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1/2 cup dried apricots chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup prunes you can substitute dates, bite-sized
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes unsweetened
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 ripe bananas mashed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9 X 13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. In a food processor, add the coconut, banana, apricots, prunes, chia, cinnamon, vanilla, baking soda and tahini. Process until smooth.
4. Remove mixture from processor and place in a bowl.
5. To the bowl, add cranberries, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (reserve 1/4 cup seeds for top)and old-fashioned oats. Mix well.
6. Pour the batter into pan and spread all around with a spatula.
7. Sprinkle the top with 1/4 of reserved sunflower seeds.
8. Bake for 18 minutes in preheated oven.
9. Cool for 3-5 minutes, then run a spatula around the edges of the pan.
10. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before cutting into bars.
11. Portion and wrap individually in saran wrap.

Recipe Notes

*Please note: your results may look a little different.

Recipe altered slightly from Sugarfreemom.com's Oat & Fruit Breakfast Bars

• Nutrition Facts

  Oat & Fruit Bar Recipe

  Amount Per Serving

  Calories 163 Calories from Fat 72

  % Daily Value*

  Total Fat 8g 12%

  Saturated Fat 2g 10%

  Cholesterol 0mg 0%

  Sodium 22mg 1%

  Potassium 254mg 7%

  Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%

  Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

  Sugars 9g

  Protein 3g 6%

  Vitamin A 4.4%

  Vitamin C 1.9%

  Calcium 4%

  Iron 6.8%

  * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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