Morning Sunshine Bars

Start your day with a burst of wholesome energy by indulging in Morning Sunshine Bars—a delightful blend of nutrient-packed ingredients and natural sweetness. These homemade granola bars feature a hearty base of old-fashioned rolled oats, crunchy chopped almonds, and chewy dried cranberries, perfectly balanced with the nutty richness of natural peanut butter and a drizzle of honey. A sprinkle of shredded coconut, chia seeds, and a dash of warm cinnamon elevate the flavor profile, while the no-fuss preparation makes them ideal for busy mornings. Baked to golden perfection in just 15 minutes, these easy grab-and-go breakfast bars are a healthier alternative to store-bought granola bars, providing sustained energy to fuel your day. Perfect for meal prepping, they stay fresh for days and are as tasty as they are nutritious.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 0.5 cup almonds, chopped
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.25 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 0.5 cup natural peanut butter
• 0.3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped almonds, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, and chia seeds. Stir to mix evenly.

Step 3

In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable, about 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from heat and whisk in the ground cinnamon and salt.

Step 5

Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until the dry ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 6

Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or the flat surface of a measuring cup to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the bars are slightly firm to the touch.

Step 8

Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. This may take 1-2 hours to ensure the bars hold together when sliced.

Step 9

Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into 10 bars.

Step 10

Store the Morning Sunshine Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	515.3 grams (515.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2298

Total Fat 116.90g	150%
Saturated Fat 27.40g	137%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1129mg	49%
Total Carbohydrate 273.00g	99%
Dietary Fiber 45.50g	163%
Total Sugars 124.90g
Protein 65.80g	132%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 458mg	35%
Iron 13mg	73%
Potassium 1874mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.7%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 45.4%