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Hi everybody, I'm Filippo from Bologna! :)

I have always loved cereal bars! I think that they are a great snack and can give some good energy for the day!

But I also think that good quality ones are a little bit expansive, or at least here in Italy.

After searching for some good recipes, I found a really good idea that I applied to a different recipe.

What is this good idea, you ask?

Bananas, obviously! :D

In a couple of websites I saw that bananas were used to create a base for the dough, with great results!

So, here's my try with my recipe!

These bars are extremely easy to prepare, because they contains only 4 ingredients.

Also, no power tools are required, only the good old oven :)

Let's start!

Step 1: Grocery List

As I said in the previous step, we only have 4 ingredients in the list:

350gr (12.35oz) Bananas
Honey, 2-3 spoons
250gr (8.82oz) of oatmeal
100gr (3.53oz) of dried fruit mix

I use only almonds 'cause I love them and they are very healthy, but you can mix something different like nuts and hazelnuts!

You can use ripe bananas if you want, the important thing is to avoid using green ones, because they are difficult to mash and have a less sweet flavor.

The tools you'll need are simple as well!

bowl
fork
large knife (like a cleaver)
Pizza cutter (optional but suggested)
...and a oven! :)

Let's move on!

Step 2: Mashed Bananas!

The first thing you have to do is cutting the bananas in little pieces and put everything in a bowl.

I use a plastic one.

Then, take your fork and start the mashing! :D

If you have used ripe bananas, this step will be really easy!

Take your time to obtain a homogeneous banana dough, this will be the base for everything!

The kitchen is starting to smell wonderful ;)

Step 3: Grinded Almonds

Then, it's time to grind the almonds (or the dried fruit mix).

DON'T USE A BLENDER!

Blender will create a grind too fine, we want a coarse grind for a better texture in our cereal bars.

I've used an heavy knife, a little cleaver I have between my knifes!

When you think the grind is good for you, pour it in the mashed bananas and mix everything with a fork.

We will mix the dough everytime we add something, to obtain a better and homogeneous result.

Step 4: Mix Everything

Now it's time to add the oatmeal.

Pour in the 250gr (8.82oz) of oats into the mix.

Then, add also 2-3 spoons of honey, depending on your taste.

Honey also serve as a sort of glue for the dough, keeping everything togheter.

It's great and tasty!

Mix with energy until every oat flakes is part of the dough.

Step 5: Prepare for the Cooking

We are almost done.

Now flip over your bowl with the mix on a baking tin covered with baking paper.

BAKING PAPER IS VERY IMPORTANT!

Our mix is thick and sticky and can stick with ease on the tin surface.

Now, the best tools to work with are your hands!

Press the dough all over until you have a 1-2cm thick layer. Try to be as homogenous as possible!

Also work on the corner to have them straight.

You can adjust the thickness of the dough according to your taste: a thicker one will result in a softer bar, while a thinner layer will result in a crunchier bar.

Your choice!

I prefer the thinner one, it also give you more bars to eat ;)

Step 6: Cook and Cut

We have 2 cooking steps.

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (356°F) and first cook the pressed dough for 15 minutes.

The corners should have become darker and crunchy!

Now, take out everything and with the help of a pizza cutter (or a simple knife, if you don't have one), cut the bars to the size you prefer.

Then, put the mix in the oven again, but this time at 140°C (284°F) for only 10 minutes.

The second cooking is useful to harden the external surface of every single bars, in order to obtain an easy-to-eat product.

Step 7: You Are Done!

The final step!

Use your fork to help you splitting every bars from each others.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOT SURFACE OF BARS AND BAKING TIN!!!

Finally, carefully take every single bars and put them on a clean surface to let them cool down.

After a hour or so, your cereal energy bars are ready!

I love their flavor!

If you have followed other cooking projects from me (like the Whole Pancakes), you know that I like this kind of rustic, whole and not-too-sweet taste.

In a cereal bar is even better.

I always take them to work for an healthy snack, to be ready with some new energy!

You can preserve these bars inside a tupperware in your fridge for a week or so.

Have some great snacks my friends!

From Italy, this is Filippo.

Ciao a tutti! :D