Prebiotic Breakfast Bars

By Rob in Healthy Feeling

You probably know what probiotics are – the “good” bacteria that can be found in food with active cultures. But do you know what prebiotics are? Prebiotics are essentially food for the beneficial bacteria in your body. For the bacteria that live in your gut, prebiotics tend to be high fiber plant materials that pass through your system mostly undigested. When they reach your gut they provide food for the beneficial bacteria living there. These breakfast bars are a good source of prebiotic foods like oatmeal and blueberries. They get a little natural sweetness from fruit, but feel very nutritious and filling. Plus, once you whip up a batch you have a quick, easy breakfast to go for a few days!

Prebiotic Breakfast Bars

  • 2 very ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup frozen organic raspberries
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened organic applesauce
  • 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
  • 3 TBS organic, unrefined virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 2 cups oatmeal
  • 1/3 cup ground organic flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup dried, unsweetened apple, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries

 

Note, these bars are lightly sweet, just the way I like them! If you prefer a little more sweetness, feel free to add 2 – 3 TBS of maple or agave syrup to the mix.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit

Blend the bananas, raspberries, applesauce, peanut butter and coconut oil until smooth

In a large bowl, mix the oats, flaxseed, almonds, spices, dried apple and fresh blueberries until well mixed

Gently fold in the blended fruit mixture until well incorporated. Let rest in the bowl for 15 minutes

Press the mixture into a greased 11″ x 7″ baking pan

Bake for 40 – 45 minutes until breakfast bars are lightly browned and firm

Let cool completely in the pan before cutting

Enjoy!

Why It’s Good

This recipe is a good source of prebiotics - the food for the "good" bacteria living in your digestive system. It's also full of nutritious oatmeal, flax seeds, almonds and fruit. And it's vegan and gluten free!