Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Vegan Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Bar

The idea of making oatmeal bars has been brewing in my head for a while now but there was always something else that needed to get done. Finally I got around to trying it out for the first time. I have been wanting to experiment using nut butters in my bakes and this oatmeal bar seemed like a good place to start. I decided on almond butter over other nut butters simply because I felt that almond would blend in better. And I have always loved the combination of orange flavor with cranberries so I went with orange flavor rather than vanilla as I initially thought. The verdict, this extremely tasty, chewy and healthy bars have been so well appreciated that I have already made this a few times since the first time I tried it.

  Vegan Orange Flavored Oatmeal Bar | Veg Inspirations

These bars are an ideal snack for the family,they are quick to make, taste awesome and are great to pack and take along on long drives, picnics or even for a quick breakfast. Packed with the goodness of oatmeal and an extra burst of protein and nutrition from almond butter and cranberries, you just cannot go wrong with these bars.


 Orange Cranberry Oatmeal Bar | Veg Inspirations


Ingredients and Method to make Cranberry Oatmeal Bars

1 cup oat flour (see notes)
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries ( I used craisins) (or dark raisins/kismis)
1 tsp aluminum free baking powder (or any other baking powder)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp orange extract
2 Tbsp flax seed meal ( powdered alsi/ ali virai ) + 6 tbsp water (see notes)
2 Tbsp oil 

Pre heat oven to 375 deg F (approx 190 deg C)

Grease a 9" X 9" pan, or line it with parchment paper and keep aside

In a large bowl, place oat flour + rolled oats + baking powder + dried cranberries or raisins and mix well.


Whisk flax seed meal + water until it is gelatinous and keep aside. 

In another bowl, cream together the almond butter and  sugar until well blended. Add flax "egg" to this and mix well. Add oil and mix again.

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and slowly mix to form a dough. 

Add orange extract and mix again.

Spread this mixture evenly in the pre greased tray/ pre lined pan. I put the mixture, then place a small piece of parchment paper and with the help of a spatula, smooth out the mixture a little. Place in oven and bake for 15 to 20 mins or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool thoroughly before cutting into squares or  rectangles as preferred and store in an air tight container.

Tastes best within 2 to 3 days ( if it lasts that long :-) )

Notes

I processed rolled oats in a spice grinder until I got fine powder (but you can use store bought oat flour too )

Flax seed meal just means powdered flax seed. In India flax seeds are known as Alsi

The baking times will vary depending on the material of the tray and the size of it. If you have spread the mixture very thin it could be ready in 5 to 10 mins too, so do keep that in mind when you are assessing baking times.


If you are looking for Oat Bars / Energy Bar/ Bites recipes, here for a few more


No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bar

Sugar-Free Oat Nut Energy Bites

Muesli bar

41 comments :

lata raja said...

most certainly healthy bars, as you said a must pack for long drives.

Priya Narasimhan said...

too good..looks like a must try..bookmarking it..

Nithya said...

This is absolutely healthy and yummmmm.. :)

Pam said...

Wow - not only are they pretty but they look absolutely delicious too.

Subhie Arun said...

wow..bar looks grt n healthy too..nice click !

Gita Jaishankar said...

Wow Usha..this is such a healthy and delicious bar...I can have anytime even as a dessert :)

Mythreyi Dilip said...

Yummy! makes me drool. Loved the touch of cranberry and looks great too. Nice click Usha.

Preeti Kashyap said...

This is so healthy and yummmm! The Pic looks great ....was it soft and chewy without eggs? Coz someone told me they tend to be hard without egg whisked into the batter.

CurryLeaf said...

Love the bars.Love the way you made it vegan.I too think almond blends better.Pass on the bars Usha,with me around I do not think they will last even 1 day

LifenSpice said...

Healthy and neat! loved the pic!

LifenSpice said...

Healthy and neat! loved the pic!

indosungod said...

Absolutely delicious Usha. If I were go by the looks that is one must eat bar.

indosungod said...

Absolutely delicious Usha. If I were go by the looks that is one must eat bar.

Vidhya said...

looks delicious Usha...I am bookmarking the recipe..

Preeti Kashyap said...

Thanks!

Unknown said...

Wow.. great entry.. looks really yummy & delicious..

Erica said...

I love your blog!!! Having a vegetarian husband makes me appreciate your blog more :)

kittymatti said...

wow!!! awesome looking! good one:)

Red Chillies said...

I have been meaning to make these energy bars for a long time. Looks good and I like the vegan version.

Unknown said...

They look lovely. There is nothing like home made Oats bars, you can add all your favorite in them and bake.

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

Healthy bar. Looks lovely. Nice click.

Purva Desai said...

The bar looks really tempting.....have bookmarked the recipe

Unknown said...

Meal bar looks heavenly...

Priya Suresh said...

Yummyy!!absolutely divine Usha!

Unknown said...

that looks delicious...i am surely going to try this one..bookmarked..

roma said...

The bar looks great, really professional!

Trupti said...

wow usha this bar looks delicious & healthy too.

Abt ur question regarding Swang Rice

usually we eat swang rice (Bhagar, varai, Sauri) at the time of fasting. The grains of this rice are very small. In maharashtra we usually eat this cooked rice with peanut curry for fast.You can get this rice in any indian store.

Hari Chandana P said...

WOW... healthy and yummyy recipe... wonderful click.. thanks for sharing!!

Shri said...

A very healthy snack for kids!Beautiful pic:)

Renus Kitchen said...

I love your energy bar, nice pictures ........I also make something like this, will post it sometimes

Ana Powell said...

Hi Usha
Healthy and delicious bars.
Have a great weekend x

raaji said...

I tried this once a long back...but mine was a disaster...ur look so awesome

Parita said...

Whoa..the bar looks scrumptous!

PriyaRaj said...

Pls take ur award from my blog dear....

Amy said...

Fantastic!! I'm always looking for home made alternatives to those oat bars they sell at the supermarket (full of additives, scary ingredients and cost an absolute fortune!). I've no doubt my kids and I will love these!

Sum Raj said...

woo this looks soo tasty and healthy.. a small treat for u dear..collect it..

Vijitha said...

Deliciously health brunch bars! good one Usha. Looks so good.

Cynthia said...

This is awesome!

Soma said...

orange & cranberry make a great pair. love the flavors you have used.

eatme_delicious said...

Yum! These would make an awesome afternoon snack.

Shri said...

Very nice snack!Healthy and tasty!!

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