My best recipe innovations are often created when the lack of an ingredient necessitates a spontaneous improvisation. My apple banana oat bar recipe is the result one of these surprising, yet most delicious discoveries. Last fall after finding no applesauce in our pantry, I tossed 2 raw apples, peel and all, into the food processor. A few ingredients later and voila—a flavorful, whole foods recipe with colorful red flecks of apple peel ensued!
This recipe is as real as it gets with old-fashioned oats, whole apples and bananas, and chunks of walnuts. Even without the dark chocolate, the coconut, dried fruit (my favorite is raisins), and bananas sweeten up this bar naturally without the need for any added sugar.
Consider individually wrapping and freezing these bars to later thaw out and enjoy whenever desired. They make the perfect alternative to a store-bought bar as a hearty grab-and-go breakfast or trail hiking snack.

Apple Banana Oat Bars:
• 2 organic apples, with peel
• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 ¼ c. old-fashioned oats
• ½ c. unsweetened dried coconut
• ½ c. dried fruit (raisins, dates, cranberries)
• ½ c. walnuts, whole (food processor will crush)
• ½ c. dark chocolate pieces
Using a food processor:
Place 2 whole, cored apples into a food processor and blend until finely diced. Add bananas, blend until puréed. Without mix yet, add remaining ingredients: Oats, coconut, dried fruit, walnuts, and dark chocolate pieces to puréed fruit mixture. Blend no more than 8 seconds until just barely mixed. Pour into 9×9 pan and bake at 350°F degrees for about 30 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes to firm.
Yield: 9-12 bars.
Recipe©Leanne Ernster 2011

Shopping List:
• 2 organic apples, with peel
• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 ¼ c. old-fashioned oats
• ½ c. unsweetened dried coconut
• ½ c. dried fruit (raisins, dates, cranberries)
• ½ c. walnuts, whole
• ½ c. dark chocolate pieces

Tips:
To make this recipe gluten free simply use gluten free oats. Also, since apples are the #1 pesticide contaminated of all fruits and vegetables, choose organic apples for your healthiest option.

CREDITS
Video shot and edited by Jordan Thompson and Miles Burnett
Location and titles provided by Lindsea Dragomir, of House of Harvest