Mark and I kind of have a thing for granola bars, breakfast bars, dessert bars—basically all the bars.
We love hiking and having a pack of bars to munch on during our adventures has become a necessity. Often, I will make a big batch of nut-butter loaded bars and freeze them until they’re ready to accompany us on our travels.
The other day I decided to add a little something extra to one of our go-to recipes & discovered the wonder of kale, oats, nuts, and banana—all mixed together. The results—a superfood loaded, protein packed bar, ready for any adventure!
Let’s make Kale + Oat Superfood Bars
Kale in granola bars. Yes, this is for real. Often, when I am traveling, I find myself snacking on item like trail mix, peanut butter bars, and crackers dipped in nut butter—basically a lot of the same stuff. I crave salads, green smoothies, and all things green—probably because my body is missing the nutrients that these items offer.
The inspiration to add kale to my bars started on our last big adventure when I found myself in this situation. Kale is loaded with healthy nutrients that your average granola bar probably doesn’t have. Mixed with earthy oats, hearty chia seeds, crunchy nuts, creamy banana, fruity dried apples, and sweet maple syrup, nutrient-dense kale is the perfect addition.
“Superfood bars” might sound a bit over the top, but this recipe is truly the real—super—deal.
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. My Kale + Oat Superfood bars are:
Hearty
Earthy
Creamy
Simple
Naturally sweet
Protein packed
& loaded with nutrients to keep you going!
If you try this recipe, be sure to comment, leave a rating, and don’t forget to tag a photo #thelocalsprout on Instagram! I can’t wait to hear what you think!
For more recipes like this, check out my easy breakfast bars, mountain granola bars, pb&j energy bites, or blackberry breakfast cookies.
Kale + Oat Superfood Bars
Materials
- 1 cup rolled oats ensure certified gf for gluten free eaters
- 1/3 cup flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 ripe banana mashed
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk*
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil melted
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup or sub honey
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup shredded kale
- 1/2 cup dried apples
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease small baking sheet and set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk oats, coconut, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stir in banana, milk, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla until well combined.
- Gently stir in kale and dried apples. Mixture should be thick.
- Transfer batter to baking sheet and smooth top with rubber spatula.
- Bake bars for 25 mins—or until bars are firm.
- Let rest until cool and slice into bars. Serve immediately. Store leftovers in airtight container on counter for up to 2 days, refrigerated for up to a week, or frozen for up to a month.