5 16 Published Mar 03, 2023, Updated Sep 04, 2024 I specifically developed these bars with ingredients that are higher in fiber like Smart Bran cereal, flaxseed, dried cranberries and SunButter. These foods not only help with digestion, but they help to keep you full longer (yay for no more mindless snacking). Added bonus: these bars are made with seed butter so they’re school-safe and kid-friendly so if you have a kiddo that needs a little fiber boost these are the bars!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bars are made with only 6 simple ingredients! Super easy to make and there’s no baking required! Just mix, press and chill. Made with sunflower seed butter, so are school-safe! One bar has 6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein! Dairy-free, nut-free + can easily be made vegan.
Ingredients Needed
Nature’s Path Smart Bran cereal – this is the main source of fiber in the recipe and will add a crunchy texture to the bars. ground flaxseed – a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. dried cranberries – a good source of fiber and adds the perfect blend of sweet and tart while also adding a pop of color. I prefer to use dried cranberries that are fruit-sweetened instead of ones that are sweetened with cane sugar. My favorite brand is the Made in Nature dried cranberries. mini chocolate chips – I recommend Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips which are allergen-friendly or Lily’s chocolate chips because they are low in sugar and calories. sunflower seed butter – a great source of protein and healthy fats while also helping to bind the bars together. I like using the organic SunButter with no added sugar, but you can easily make homemade sunflower seed butter if you’d like. honey – a perfect natural sweetener and part of the “glue” that holds these bars together. I love the pairing of SunButter and honey.
How to Make
Line an 8×8 square baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl stir together the smart bran cereal, flaxseed, dried cranberries and 2 Tablespoons of mini chocolate chips. In a small saucepan, heat SunButter and honey over low-medium heat, stirring frequently until the mixture is completely smooth. Remove from heat and pour SunButter mixture over dry ingredients and mix until evenly coated. Pour coated cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down evenly. Sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips on top and press them into the bars. Place bars in the fridge for about an hour to set up. Remove from fridge, cut into bars and enjoy!
Substitutions & Notes
Mix-ins: Feel free to customize this recipe with different mix-ins. You can easily swap the chocolate chips and/or dried cranberries for something else like another dried fruit, nuts or seeds. Some ideas: dried cherries, raisins, coconut flakes, pecans, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. SunButter: I went with sunflower seed butter to keep this recipe school-safe for kiddos, but you can easily swap it for another seed or nut butter. Some ideas: almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter or tahini. Vegan: I haven’t tried it, but I bet using maple syrup or agave would work as a substitute if you want these bars to be vegan.
How to Store
One of the best things about these high fiber bars is that they store really well and are such a great meal prep recipe! After you cut your bars store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. I like using glass storage containers or Stasher bags for storing. For longer storage, you can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to store them after being cut so they’re ready to grab and go! If you do freeze them, just thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying them.
More Bar Recipes
Chocolate Chip Almond Granola Bars Easy Protein Bars Banana Oatmeal Bars No Bake Chocolate Energy Bars No Bake Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Be sure to check out my full collection of healthy snack recipes here on EBF!
