Kids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars are a healthy and easy sugar free kid friendly recipe perfect for your BLW babies and toddlers!
Kids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
I have talked a little bit about the fact that we did Baby Led Weaning (BLW) with our twin one year olds. We started them on solids around 7-8 months when they showed all signs of readiness, letting them feed themselves and explore the flavors and textures of food beyond just purees. There are so many benefits to this way of eating, including the fact that you can serve them what you are eating and don’t have to make special meals just for your kids.
With that said, I don’t want my kids eating added sugars before the age of two. I know some people think that is too rigid, but I want to set them up with the healthiest eating habits possible. Therefore they won’t be eating the sweets that we like to enjoy like Chocolate Chip Cookies unless Grandma and Grandpa sneak it to them, but instead will be enjoying treats like these Kids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars.
Sugar Free Recipes for Kids
Sugar Free Recipes for KidsI wanted to whip up a simple granola bar or bar recipe for the kids that I could use for breakfast or snacks that didn’t have any sugar in it. I set out on an internet search for a quick fix. The problem with searching for sugar free recipes is that people use that as a buzzword while sharing recipes that are full of sugar…just not granulated sugar. Honey, molasses, coconut sugar, etc. are all still SUGAR at the end of the day. While they are healthier forms of sugar, they aren’t actually healthy at the end of the day.
I finally came across a good recipe from Mama Knows Nutrition that didn’t have ANY added sugars in it. I made a couple changes to her recipe like adding peanut butter into the mix to appeal more to my children. Now before you call me out on it, I known that peanut butter does have a little added sugar in it. The amount of sugar that it adds to this recipe is less than a 1/4 gram per serving though, so we are still going to stick with the idea that these are a no sugar added recipe.
Sugar Free Snack Recipes for Kids
Let me be very clear about these Kids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars, they are intended for children who are not used to eating sugar. If you take a bite of these, you will very quickly understand why. To put it simply, they are bland. There is virtually no sugar or sodium in this recipe because it is a healthy wholesome snack for kids and they don’t need all that stuff that us adults like to enjoy. To be honest, we don’t need it either, but most of us have trained our pallets to want it. I ate small bar smeared with lots of extra peanut butter and it was a good filling snack for me, but it’s nothing I would go back for seconds with.
The first time I made these Kids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars, I handed a piece to my 11 month old son and he LOVED it! He gobbled it up in no time during snack time.
Gluten Free Sugar Free Recipe for Kids
Not only does this recipe not add in any sugar, it is also gluten-free which is a plus for anyone with who has an intolerance. Peanut butter is a high allergen that you will want to be mindful of when first serving to make sure your kids don’t have a reaction. We introduced our children to peanut butter at 7 months per newer recommendations to introduce high allergen foods as soon as possible. It has actually been shown to reduce allergies by exposing kids earlier in childhood. Just keep in mind that allergic reactions can happen the first time or 50th time you introduce a food to your child and that this pertains to children who don’t have a family history of allergies.
Prepping Kids No Sugar Snacks
Prepping Kids No Sugar SnacksKids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars make a big batch of 24 servings. Even with twins, this was more than I needed over the course of a week. The best part of these bars is that you can freeze them for easy snack prep. Refrigerate the bars you will be using over the course of the next 5 days and pop the rest of the bars in a freezer bag and store them up to a couple months. Pull out a few bars each week for a quick and easy snack for your kids. If you want the bars to last even longer, individually wrap each bar. This will keep them from spoiling in the freezer for at least a few months.
Whatever you do, do NOT store these bars at room temperature. With no sugar in this recipe, there is nothing preserving them and they will spoil within 48 hours. Trust me, I may know from experience forgetting some on the counter. Whoops…
Kids No Sugar Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 c. oats old fashion or quick cooking, divided
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 large banana
- 4 oz unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 large egg
- 1 c. whole milk
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 Tbsp. ground flax optional
- 1 Tbsp. hemp hearts optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Add one cup of the oats to a food processor and blend until a flour consistency. Set aside.
- Add the coconut oil to a large bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Add the banana to the bowl and mash using a fork or potato masher. Add the apple sauce, peanut butter, vanilla, eggs and milk to the bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Add the oatmeal flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, flax and hemp seeds to the bowl. Stir well to combine.
- Line an 8x10 pan with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick spray. Add the batter to the pan and bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set.
- Slice and store refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen in an airtight container for 2 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Rebecca says
These looked so great but are totally bland. My 3 year old wouldn’t touch them. Thankfully my 8 month old will eat anything so they won’t go to waste. Will probably try this again with an extra banana.
Danielle Green says
These aren’t for kids who are used to any sort of sugar. They are for young toddlers who don’t get any sugar. They are definitely somewhat bland without any added sugar and very little fruit sugar.
Andrea says
Also I’ve found that the key to making them taste sweeter is using reeeaaaaalllly ripe bananas!
Rebecca says
These looked so great but are totally bland. My 3 year old wouldn’t touch them. Thankfully my 8 month old will eat anything so they won’t go to waste. Will probably try this again with an extra banana.
Lindsey says
Hi- what could i use instead of Peanut Butter? I’m anxious to make them but can’t do pb 🙂
Danielle Green says
Any nut butter would work in these
Annie says
Absolutely delicious. I’m wondering if there’s a way to use Almond Flour or coconut flour instead of the oats? Or to substitute some of them to reduce the carbs. Thank you so much!
Danielle Green says
You could certainly give it a try, but I can’t recommend exact ratios as I haven’t tested it with those flours. This recipe is pretty flexible though.
Annie says
Absolutely delicious. I’m wondering if there’s a way to use Almond Flour or coconut flour instead of the oats? Or to substitute some of them to reduce the carbs. Thank you so much!
Andrea says
If I don’t have applesauce, is there something else I should substitute?
Danielle Green says
Just about any fruit puree, including bananas mashed up or melted oil or butter would work.
Lauren Camacho says
Hello, can I substitute any other oil instead of coconut?
Danielle Green says
Vegetable oil will work
Angela says
Just made this recipe for the second time. I substitute pea milk for the whole milk and they come out great. Babygirl who is 14 months old loves these for breakfast!!! I love how simple this recipe is too!
Danielle Green says
Thanks so much for the great feedback!
Angela says
Just made this recipe for the second time. I substitute pea milk for the whole milk and they come out great. Babygirl who is 14 months old loves these for breakfast!!! I love how simple this recipe is too!
Carolyn says
Can you substitute babe oatmeal for oatmeal?
Danielle Green says
No, the texture of baby oatmeal is essentially flour and won’t hold up the same.
Malinda Linnebur says
I am always on the hunt for new healthy snack ideas to give my kids and these turned out so well!! Thank you!!
Malinda Linnebur says
I am always on the hunt for new healthy snack ideas to give my kids and these turned out so well!! Thank you!!
Melissa Howell says
Such a good idea to not start the kids out on sugary snacks! They honestly don’t know the difference! And I agree with you. A lot of “sugar free” recipes really do have a bunch of sugar in them, even if it is “natural” sugar. I often turn to xylitol or stevia (if I’m just sweetening something small like a bowl of oatmeal or a cup of tea). Your twins are adorable, by the way 🙂
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I seriously need to give it a try! Looks perfect for my kids!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
I seriously need to give it a try! Looks perfect for my kids!
Coleen Koehl says
Such a great healthy snack for my grandkids! Would these freeze ok?
Julie Evink says
Great snack for the kids!
Coleen Koehl says
Such a great healthy snack for my grandkids! Would these freeze ok?
Julie Evink says
Great snack for the kids!
Lindsay Cotter says
Great homemade snacks to make! So much healthier than store bought.
Lindsay Cotter says
Great homemade snacks to make! So much healthier than store bought.