Peanut Butter-Banana Oatmeal Bars

YUM!

A picture of what the puffed rice looks like...

Need a healthier snack option? Try these PB/Banana Oatmeal Bars. They are yummy and slimmed down as much as possible. I froze most of these bars (since I am the only one in the house that will eat a "healthy" dessert. I enjoyed a piece for breakfast this morning with my pumpkin spice coffee!

Peanut Butter-Banana Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup puffed wheat or rice
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup finely mashed banana
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 large egg whites
2 tablespoons dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with foil; grease foil.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, oats, puffed wheat and almonds until combined.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together banana, brown sugar, honey, peanut butter and egg whites until combined; whisk dry ingredients into wet, until combined.

Spread batter evenly into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Remove pan from oven and cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.

Makes 12 bars

***I posted a picture of an example bag of puffed rice. I usually find it in the gluten-free, health section, or by the big bags of cereal in Walmart. Rice Krispies would probably taste just great in this recipe!