Homemade snack bars | Food-4Tots | Recipes for Toddlers (2024)

2 October 2008 | 48 comments
Posted in Events, snacks, Vegetarian, Western

This homemade version snack bar is a MUST TRY for everyone including people who have never cooked in their lifetime. It makes an excellent start to the day especially with yogurt and fresh fruit ie strawberries, bananas etc. It can also be a healthy snack during teatime. It is also cheaper as compared to those healthy bars sold in the supermarket.

All you need to prepare is: the ingredients, non-stick pan, wooden spoon, baking tin (or any rectangular-shape container), greaseproof paper and presser.

I had adapted and combined 2 recipes from Children’s Healthy & Fun Cookbook to derive at this simplified version.

Ingredients:
40g rolled oats
40g sunflower seeds
40g pumpkin seeds
Handful of black and white sesame seeds
3-4 tbsp clear running honey (I used no water added honey)
Methods:
Heat up the pan.
Put the black and white sesame seeds in a non-stick and dry fry (without oil) with a wooden spoon over a medium-low heat until they are fragrant. Set aside.
Put the oats and dry fry for 3 mins. Turn the oats occasionally to make sure they cook evenly.
Add the sunflower and pumpkin seeds and dry fry for another 2 minutes or until light golden. Take care – the pumpkin seeds may pop a little!
Return the roasted black and white sesame seeds to the pan and dry fry for ½ min.
Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the honey – it will sizzle at first but keep stirring until the oats and seeds are coated. Allow to cool slightly.
Line a 20cm x 10cm baking tin with greaseproof paper.
Spread the mixture evenly on the paper and line another one on top of the mixture.
Use a presser (or chopping board) to apply pressure to the mixture.
Chill for at least 1 hour, or until solid. Turn it out of the tin and peel off the greaseproof paper. If you have problem to peel off the paper, leave it at room temperature for 1 min and try again. Cut into bars.
Keep it in an air-tight container and store in the fridge. Best to be consumed within a week.
Note: The combination of oats and seeds is subject to personal preference.

I am submitting this recipe to Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipe Carnival hosted by Fun and Food Cafe.

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48 Comments

noobcook says:
3 October 2008 at 2:57 am
wow looks lovely … your photos are great 😉 judging from their appearance, I won’t know they are relatively easy to make, hee
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Pam says:
3 October 2008 at 7:49 pm
These look really delicious. I am sure my whole family would enjoy them. Your photos are really nice!
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tigerfish says:
4 October 2008 at 7:51 am
I have only sunflower seeds now. I can’t make this unless I get other ingredients ready!
You have nice blog. Will be visiting again 🙂
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MyF says:
4 October 2008 at 2:30 pm
cool, these would be perfect for those hungry moments especially while driving to work… 🙂
Love your pictures, u have good angles!
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Food For Tots says:
4 October 2008 at 4:23 pm
Hi noobcook,
It is so simple n easy than we can’t visualise. Give it a try!
Hi pam,
Thanks for your kind comments. These bars are my son’s favourite too.
Hi tigerfish,
Thanks for dropping by. Hope to see you again!
Hi myf,
I am still a novice in photography. Tks for your compliments.
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Piggy says:
4 October 2008 at 7:52 pm
wow, looks so good!! Thanks for the recipe, can’t wait to try it out soon!!
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Bentoist says:
5 October 2008 at 1:57 pm
They remind me of those sold by Mrs May’s but are expensive. My husband and I love them and I think I will try to make some for my bentos. Thanks for sharing!
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K and S says:
5 October 2008 at 11:32 pm
sounds great! will give it a try!
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lisa is cooking says:
6 October 2008 at 12:19 am
They look delicious and so pretty! I have to try these.
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Super Healthy Kids says:
6 October 2008 at 12:37 pm
I love recipes with simple ingredients! thanks!
Reply
Food For Tots says:
6 October 2008 at 4:21 pm
Hi piggy,
Thanks! Hope you will like it 😉
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Hi bentoist,
Homemade food is always cheaper provided we have the time and interest to explore further.
Hi K and S,
Tks for dropping by.
Hi lisa is cooking,
Tks for your kind comments.
Hi Super Healthy Kids,
I share the same view too!
Reply
banana blossom says:
7 October 2008 at 5:34 am
Hello,
I just want to stop by to let you know how I enjoy your blog very much. I hope to use your recipes soon.
Thanks for sharing.
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Beachlover says:
7 October 2008 at 8:26 am
that is my favourite snack!! I always buy peanut only bars at store but without pumpkin seeds!Look great!
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Food For Tots says:
7 October 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hi banana blossom,
Tks for your support. I can’t wait to see your recipes too.
Hi beachlover,
I luv peanut bars too! It was my childhood’s favourite. I made this seed bars becos I haven’t introduced peanuts in my son’s diet.
Reply
Nate-n-Annie says:
8 October 2008 at 3:47 pm
Ooh, I wan leh!
Instead of honey, can we make a cane sugar syrup? Hmm, I wonder even if brown rice syrup would work…
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Food For Tots says:
9 October 2008 at 8:30 am
Hi Nate n Annie,
I will make some for u if u happen to be in Singapore. 🙂
Not sure about that but sounds ok to me. Just my wild guess. I have another recipe for fruit and nut bars. It uses a combination of dried fruits and orange juice instead of honey. So I think as long as the ingredients are well-coated with concentrated syrup and chilled in the fridge, the bar will become hardened.
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Sophie says:
9 October 2008 at 6:46 pm
Those snack bars are beautiful! The photo captures every little ingredient, they look delicious. Nothing beats homemade :)!
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pinkzen says:
10 October 2008 at 5:46 am
Hmm Yum Yum ! Can try to make and give as gifts for festive or sell to make some xtra pocket $$Lazy people like me will sure to buy in large quantity to treat my kids & nephews and nieces.Good job!
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LindaLow says:
10 October 2008 at 9:53 am
wah…this one looks good man!! I wish I’m living next to you so i can just hop over to get a bite…:)
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Food For Tots says:
11 October 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hi sophie,
Totally agreed. Homemade is always the best.
Hi pinkzen,
Tks for your great ideas. You are such a generous mom cum auntie!Will I be invited to your house during CNY? Hehehe..!
Hi linda,
You are always welcome to drop by! Who knows we may just live in the same neighbourhood?
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gkbloodsugar says:
18 October 2008 at 8:10 pm
This is exactly the kind of thing I love – and it looks as though I’m not alone!
Nice one.
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My Sweet & Saucy says:
19 October 2008 at 2:56 am
What a great healthy snack! I love them!
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Food For Tots says:
19 October 2008 at 4:19 pm
Hi gkbloodsugar,
Taste good too! Give it a try!
Hi my sweet & saucy,
Tks for your comments. 😉
Reply
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Veggie Wedgie says:
30 October 2008 at 4:59 pm
Stunning pictures of these bars!So simple…
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Thayn says:
30 October 2008 at 8:36 pm
I wonder, don’t they need a little salt? Has anyone tried them with salt? I’d love to know before I try them.
Thanks!
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Food For Tots says:
1 November 2008 at 6:50 am
Hi veggie wedgie,
Tks for your compliments. I am flattered! 😉
Hi thayn,
Not sure about it. I think it is no harm if u add a pinch of salt in making these bars. It is all up to the individual preference. Alternatively take a look at those ingredients listed on the packaging of those commercial snack bars sold in the supermarket. If u have any further queries, u r welcome to drop me an email. Hope it helps. 😉
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Mansi says:
5 November 2008 at 6:31 pm
Those look absolutely SUPER!! I love the texture..thanks so much for sending these in for my Thanksgiving event!:)
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Food For Tots says:
6 November 2008 at 5:04 pm
Hi Mansi,
I am thrilled to join the fun. Tks again for your kind comments and invitation. 😉
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Anonymous says:
18 November 2008 at 5:05 am
Thank you for sharing this simple yet delicious recipe. My family loves the snack bar so much. Care to share the fruit and nut recipe?
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Food For Tots says:
18 November 2008 at 2:58 pm
Hi anonymous,
Glad to know the outcome. I shared your joy too! I will only try the fruit n nut recipe after I have introduced nut to him at a later date. But if u r keen, drop me an email at foodfortots@yahoo.com, I can share with u the recipe. 😉
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skinnymum says:
29 March 2009 at 1:15 pm
not sure whether you can help. i made these today and they were yummy. after storing them in air-tight containers for 2 hours, they “fell-apart” i.e. when i tried to get a piece from the air-tight containers, they were gluey.
do you have any idea what i did wrong? must i store the containers in the fridge?
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Food For Tots says:
29 March 2009 at 1:53 pm
Skinnymum: Yes, ur guess is absolutely correct! Maybe u had missed out my step (11), “Keep it in an air-tight container and store in the fridge.” If they become “gluey”, u can still “salvage” them by simply putting them back into the fridge and chill until they turn solid again. If u want to make those solid bars sold in the supermarket, u need to bake them first. But the recipe will be slightly diff. I have 1 recipe “fruity flapjacks” which requires baking, if u r interested, drop me a line at foodfortots@yahoo.com. 😉
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delia says:
11 September 2009 at 2:14 am
yum, yum….these are delicious. my kids love it but my hubby prefers one with peanuts. thanks for sharing.
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- food-4tots says:
  11 September 2009 at 3:28 pm
  Delia: That’s great that ur kids enjoyed these bars! My hubby also loves those peanut bars served during CNY. He even asked me to make some lately. 😉
  Reply
jjcht says:
16 November 2009 at 1:07 am
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I tried it out. So simple to make. But i think mine i flatten too much. Your snack bar is quite solid looking, with about 1cm height. How do you make sure you level evenly each layer ?
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- food-4tots says:
  17 November 2009 at 12:40 am
  jjcht: You’re welcome. I’ve checked out your snack bar post. They look absolutely perfect to me. Use a spoon to spread the ingredients evenly first before pressing it with something flat. Hope it helps. 😉
  Reply
jjcht says:
17 November 2009 at 3:08 am
Thanks FFT. I’ll make some more this weekend. My kids love it! 40g per ingredients not enough for them. Have to double/triple recipes 😀
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- food-4tots says:
  17 November 2009 at 3:30 pm
  jjcht: Tks for your kind feedback. Yeah, should double/ triple the amounts if you have such a supportive team at home. Since your kids love snack bars, do try out the power-packed oat bars in my blog. They are very delicious and easy-to-make too. 😉
  Reply
jjcht says:
18 November 2009 at 1:21 am
Actually my kids don’t really like oats. Whenever i made cereal/oats for them, they refuse to take it. These snack bars even though made by oats, but the sunflower seeds & pumpkin seeds made them crunchy. They thought got nuts inside. They love nuts. hehe.
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- food-4tots says:
  19 November 2009 at 7:24 am
  jjcht: Like your kids, I also dun like oats even until now except for this snack bars and my oatmeal banana raisin muffins. LOL! 😉
  Reply
Lorrie says:
4 March 2017 at 10:42 pm
I make these often but also use chia seeds, flax seeds, raisins, pecans and chopped almonds. I find if I simmer my honey for 5 minutes and then add all the extras, it hardens better
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- food-4tots says:
  10 March 2017 at 5:09 pm
  Lorrie: Thank you so much for sharing your finding. I will try your method when I make these in future. 🙂
  Reply
Torie1112 says:
13 March 2017 at 3:42 pm
Hi,
Are these quantities correct? They seem very small….
Thanks.
Reply
- food-4tots says:
  15 March 2017 at 10:28 am
  Torie1112: The amount is meant to suit the size of baking tray I mentioned in the recipe. You can put all the dry ingredients on the tray and judge it yourself. If they are not enough, then adjust the recipe accordingly. 🙂
  Reply
Regan says:
8 August 2017 at 2:36 am
Can these be frozen?
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- food-4tots says:
  16 August 2017 at 1:52 pm
  Regan: Sorry, I’m not sure about that as I haven’t tried it before. 🙂
  Reply
Madelynn says:
13 March 2019 at 2:16 am
How many does your recipe serving make?
Reply
- food-4tots says:
  15 March 2019 at 10:17 am
  Madelynn: Around 9 bars @ the size of 6cm x 3cm. Hope it helps! 🙂
  Reply

Homemade snack bars | Food-4Tots | Recipes for Toddlers (2024)

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