Getting toddlers and picky eaters to eat enough calories in the day can be a challenge for parents. We all know how up and down toddler appetite can be. But with the help of some smart snacks we can bridge the calorie gaps and nutritional needs in the day.
One such much loved snack in our house is an energy bar. And since I realized that I can make a variety of flavors and combinations to add different nutrients I’ve been having a ball trying new recipes.
One way to ensure seasonal fruit is added to the child’s diet can be through an energy bar. This no-bake Strawberry Oatmeal bar is the perfect toddler snack. It has a jammy center and a chewy bite that most toddlers enjoy.
The ingredients used are Whole Foods based making these healthy strawberry oat bars a great add to your winter family snack rotation.
I pack them in my kids school lunch box as a treat and offer them to my toddler as a mid-morning snack with her cup of milk.
HEALTHY STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BARS | NO-BAKE RECIPE
STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BARS [NO BAKE RECIPE]
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- STRAWBERRY JAM LAYER
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 tbsp jaggery powder/sugar
- splash of water
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl mix all the bar ingredients to get a nice crumbly texture.
- Line a square pan or container with baking sheet and fit this mix in tightly. Keep aside about 1/3 cup of this crumble mix to layer on top later
- Then in a pan make the homemade strawberry filling by cooking the strawberries in a little water and jaggery until jam like consistency.
- Once this strawberry jam is cooled layer on top of the oat base.
- Followed by adding the rest of the oat crumble mix on top.
- Chill in the fridge for 2 hours then cut into bars.
Notes
SUBSTITUTIONS
You can use any nut butter of your liking. I’ve found peanut butter and almond butter work best with this recipe.
These are our family staples :
If you don’t like to add sugar or jaggery to your strawberry jam layer you can skip the sweetener and go without for a mildly sweet version of these bars.
For more toddler snack ideas check this ultimate list of toddler snacks I complied previously.
Try these quick and easy no bake strawberry oatmeal bars for your kiddos. A healthy and super delicious strawberry treat better than store bought red dyed packaged kids snacks that try to mimic strawberry flavors synthetically.