Fruit Packed Breakfast Bars

You can tailor these healthy little bars to whatever your kid’s preference is in dried fruit, nuts, and seeds. These are great for those mornings you and you child have no time to sit and eat breakfast. They make for a great snack in their lunches or even just in their back pack, for when they need something extra to get them through the day. They have plenty of fiber and protein from the oats and fruits and beneficial healthy oils from the seeds and coconut. This recipe makes 2 batches, so you can make them up when you have time, and then have plenty on hand for when you need them.

6 cups Gluten-free quick cook oats
2 cup dried apricots, chopped into small pieces
2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups local honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup milk, any of your choosing

DIRECTIONS:
1) preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) generously grease with either a spray or a little vegetable oil 2 9×13 inch pan.
3) combine the oats, fruit, seeds, and coconut. Add the honey and vegetable oil and coat the oat/fruit mixture well, then add in milk and mix to combine.
4) divide amoungst the 2 pans and Press the mixture into each prepared pan.
5) bake in oven for 25-30 minutes, remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes then cut into bars or squares, return pan back to oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown.

These store really well, you can individually wrap the bars, or place into a large airtight container.

I love to drizzle them, once cooled, with some gluten-free melted chocolate chips, for those days when I need something sweet.