Baked Banana Breakfast Bars

I always set my alarm to a weird number. 5:38 6:01 6:06 It softens the blow of the early wake-up call. Because obviously 6:01 is way better than 6:00 No matter how motivated I am in the evening to wake up and crush my workout, get quality miles in before the city is awake, I am so easily persuaded when the alarm goes off. Where does that determination and drive disappear to when my room is still dark and the humm of my air conditioner is lulling me to flip my pillow over and fall asleep in cool bliss. I have tried any and all tricks to get me to spring out of bed and onto the road before I can understand what I’m doing. Set clothes out Sleep in workout clothes Put alarm clock across the room Play pump up music as alarm Meet up with a workout partner My favorite and most tried and true tip: have a breakfast worth waking up for. If I have a delicious, satisfying meal waiting for me at the end of the mileage grind tunnel, I’ll practically bounce from my covers. Much like my dog, I am highly food motivated. This baked oatmeal breakfast bar is wonderful because it is made completely in advance and heats up beautifully. For long training days, it settles in my stomach to have a small piece pre-workout and doubles as a quick on-the-go item to have as I run from the shower to my car for work. So, when it is 5:04 a.m. and you want to pull the covers over your head and drown out the alarm, just think, baked oatmeal is waiting.

Banana Baked Breakfast Bars

Yield: 9 servings Ingredients

2 cups old fashioned oats
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1 Tbsp chia seed
3 medium bananas
⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
1 egg
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk of choice
1 cup mixed fruit or nuts or combination

Instructions

Whisk together oats, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, flaxseed, and chia in a bowl.
In a separate bowl combine mashed bananas, maple syrup, egg, coconut oil, vanilla, and milk.
Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients and store together until combined. Fold in fruit and/or nuts.
Pour mixture into greased 9" square pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Nutrition Information (per 1 serving)

249 calories
44 g carbohydrates
9 g protein
6 g fat

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Banana Baked Breakfast Bars