With the weather warming up and Spring definitely here, we are getting up and getting out of the house earlier, especially on beautiful weekend mornings. It’s the time of year when we want a quick, yet delicious and filling breakfast that can also be portable. Today’s recipe is my suggestion for a get up and go start to the day!

The base of these bars is oat cereal flakes with raisins to which rolled oats and a bit of flour are added. The raisins in the cereal, dried apples, and honey are the source of the sweetness in these bars. I used creamy peanut butter, but crunchy varieties can also be used. Oil can be substituted in place of the butter, if desired. These bars are a great start to the day as well as the perfect snack to sustain a day full of activity!

Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars

Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars (adapted from eatingwell.com)  Total Time Required: 1 hour, Active Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 9 – 16 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (10.5 ounces) sweetened oat cereal flakes with raisins
• 3/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (about 3/4 of an ounce) snipped dried apples
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325º F. Coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, then set the pan aside.

Combine the cereal, rolled oats, flour, and dried apples in a large bowl. Set it aside.

Combine the cereal, oats, flour, and apples in a large bowl.

Stir together the eggs, honey, peanut butter, and melted butter in a medium bowl.

Combine the eggs, honey, peanut butter, and melted butter.

Pour the egg mixture over the cereal mixture. Mix well.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix well.

Using the back of a large spoon, press the mixture firmly into the prepared dish.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 28 to 30 minutes, until the edges are browned. Cool them completely on a wire rack.

Bake the bars and cool completely.

Cut into 9 large bars or 16 small bars.

Cut the bars to the desired size.

Enjoy for breakfast or a snack! Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place individually wrapped bars in a freezer container or bag for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in refrigerator overnight.

A great breakfast or snack!

Get out & enjoy this breakfast or snack on the go!  ~Linda

Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars (adapted from eatingwell.com)  Total Time Required: 1 hour, Active Time: 15 minutes, Makes: 9 – 16 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (10.5 ounces) sweetened oat cereal flakes with raisins
• 3/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (about 3/4 of an ounce) snipped dried apples
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325º F. Coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, then set the pan aside.

Combine the cereal, rolled oats, flour, and dried apples in a large bowl. Set it aside.

Stir together the eggs, honey, peanut butter, and melted butter in a medium bowl. Pour the egg mixture over the cereal mixture. Mix well.

Using the back of a large spoon, press the mixture firmly into the prepared dish.

Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 28 to 30 minutes, until the edges are browned. Cool them completely on a wire rack. Cut into 9 large bars or 16 small bars.

Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place individually wrapped bars in a freezer container or bag for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in refrigerator overnight.