Grab-and-Go Pear and Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

We’re almost back in the swing of work and school.  The problem is, once we return to our early morning routine, we tend to forget about breakfast.  Hey, we’re guilty of it too… it’s much easier to grab a junky Pop Tart (or skip a meal entirely) when you’ve overslept, missed your train, and are running dangerously late for that 8am meeting.  But in barely more than half an hour, you can whip up a batch of nutritious and filling Fruit Bars, which will get you through two whole weeks (they happen to freeze really well).  Made with heart-healthy Oats, fiber-filled Flax, vitamin-rich Wheat Flour and naturally sweet, seasonal Pears (and, get this, no Oil or Butter), you’ll be satiated, fortified, and ready to greet the day!

Pear and Oatmeal Bars
(Makes 12)

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups of old fashioned oats, divided
1/4 cup of almonds, roughly chopped
1/2 cup of flax meal
1/2 cup of whole wheat flour
3/4 cup of brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp of nutmeg
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 cup of plain yogurt
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of honey
1/2 cup of peeled and coarsely chopped pears

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place ¾ cup of oats and almonds on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes to toast, and put in a medium mixing bowl.

In a food processor, process remaining ¾ cup oats and flax meal until finely ground. Add to bowl. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Whisk to combine.

In a small bowl, combine yogurt, vanilla, honey, and pears. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Place mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and form into a 6 x 7 inch rectangle. Cut into 12 even squares. Bake for 25 minutes or until browned. Let cool before serving.