High Fiber Honey Oat Bar Recipe

High fiber eating or cooking doesn't have to be boring.  This is a recipe that I absolutely love.  I got it on line some ways back as I was looking for a way to use my dried apricots, I believe on cdkitchen.com.  There are only 2 tablespoons of flour in this recipe!

Dried apricots are very high in fiber and other nutrients and I love adding them to muffins or even making an appetizer out of them - stuffed apricots are marvelous.  This is a great little cookie/dessert recipe though and so easily made. 

I also added chopped walnuts or pecans to this recipe because I like the addition of nuts with the oats and chopped dried apricots.  You could also substitute dried cranberries for the diced dried apricots, or even dried blueberries, dried apples. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek plain yogurt
• 2 egg whites or 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Sprinkle of nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt if desired
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
• Olive oil or vegetable oil spray

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Spray an 8-inch baking pan with vegetable spray.
3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.
4. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
5. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until the center has firmed up and the edges are lightly browned.
6. Cool, turn onto board and cut into squares.
7. Makes 8 or more depending on how big you cut them!

Dried fruits are a wonderful addition to anyone's diet and a great ingredient to use in making cookies and desserts.

The added fiber from dried apricots make them an ideal candidate for combining with oats and honey but actually any dried fruit could be incorporated into this recipe and make a delicious bar cookie. 

They also freeze really well in freezer bags.  Just defrost for an hour and they are ready to eat.