Wholesome Banana Bars – Gluten Free

By Susan Arruda

YIELD: 20 bars

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 bananas
1 egg
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tbsp. blackstrap molasses
1/3 cup high quality oleic oil
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups uncontaminated/gluten free rolled oats
1 cup brown rice flour
½ cup skim milk powder
¼ cup flax meal
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. gluten free baking powder*
1/3 – ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

PREPARATION:

Mash the bananas using a fork or blender and add the remaining wet ingredients. Blend well to combine all ingredients. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix together using a large spoon.

Pour the mixture into a 13”X9” pan that has been lined with parchment paper or greased with oil or butter.
Bake in a pre-heated 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick or skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

NUTRITIONAL TIDBIT:

*If you’re having trouble finding gluten free baking powder, make your own by combining the following ingredients: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon corn starch (optional)
The corn starch will absorb any moisture and prevent the baking powder from reacting if you will be storing it to use later on. Store in an air tight container.

Did You Know? Most commercially produced baking powder contains aluminum–sodium aluminum sulfate to be exact. Make your own baking powder and keep your baked goods aluminum-free.