Description
Delicious and healthy Carrot Cake Banana Cottage Cheese Oatmeal Bars that are perfect for a snack or breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 ripe medium bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
- 1/4 cup raisins, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the carrots. Finely grate the carrots. If they release a lot of moisture, gently blot them with a paper towel so the bars don’t become too wet.
- Blend the wet ingredients. Add the cottage cheese, mashed bananas, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a blender or food processor. Blend until mostly smooth and creamy.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt.
- Make the batter. Pour the blended mixture into the oats and stir until combined. Fold in the grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins if using. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes so the oats can absorb some moisture.
- Fill the pan. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Press it gently into the corners and smooth the top.
- Bake. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out without wet batter.
- Cool completely. Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes before lifting them out and cutting into 9 squares. Cooling helps them firm up and hold their shape.
- Serve. Enjoy the bars as they are, or top with a little Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas: Brown-spotted bananas provide more sweetness and better flavor.
- Blend the cottage cheese: This gives the bars a smoother texture and helps distribute the cottage cheese evenly.
- Don’t skip the cooling time: The bars are delicate when hot and become firmer as they cool.
- Avoid excess carrot moisture: Finely grated, lightly blotted carrots help prevent soggy bars.
- For a sweeter treat: Add a few white chocolate chips or increase the maple syrup slightly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg