Cereal Bars--How would you 'health-ify' this recipe?
 

I made these today and really liked the recipe, overall. Its too sweet, however, and I'd like to make them a bit healthier so I could count them more as a breakfast item than a dessert/treat. I'm not sure where to start, though, or if it could really be done.

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey (I used half honey & half corn syrup b/c I'm not a big honey fan)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I used an organic natural PB)
3 cups toasted oats cereal (I used organic Os)
1 cup peanuts (optional)
*I also added a splash of vanilla

Combine sugar and honey over medium heat. Heat to a boil and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, stir until smooth and well-combined. Stir in cereal to coat and, if desired, peanuts. Press into greased pan and let cool to firm.

The sugar/honey syrup mixture makes it a bit chewy.

Re: Cereal Bars--How would you 'health-ify' this recipe?
 

how about maple syrup in place of the corn syrup. Add steel cut oats and/or flaxmeal, almond meal or pecan meal (just ground up nuts) How about dried fruit like cranberries, raisins or apples?

Now you've got me wondering if I should try this out tomorrow!

Re: Cereal Bars--How would you 'health-ify' this recipe?
 

I think the PP had great ideas and I can't really add to them, but I did find this recipe yesterday on wholesometoddlerfood.com:

YOGURT CEREAL BARS

2 cups corn flakes - 3/4 flour - 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2cup butter or margarine
1 cup flavoured yogurt (banana/strawberry etc..) - 1 egg slightly beaten
2 tablespoons flour
Preheat oven to 350F

Combine cereal, 3/4 cup flour, sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Cut in butter or margarine until coarse crumbs form.
Press 1/2 the mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 8inch square pan.
Mix yogurt, egg and 2 tablespoons flour in another small bowl.
Spread over cereal mixture in pan and then sprinkle the remaining cereal mixture on top
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown; cut into bars when cooled.
Courtesy of Stonyfield Farms Yogurt