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These DIY blondie bars have a familiar sweet taste and soft texture and are designed to appeal to children with ARFID, making sure they get essential nutrients without fuss.
Can you think of anything more delicious than a buttery, soft, and gooey blondie bar? I know, right, me neither. This recipe is just that PLUS it has loads of hidden goodies like protein-packed chickpeas (you’re welcome) and vitamin-rich almond butter.
DIY Blondie Bars Recipe (Hidden Healthy Ingredients)
DIY Blondie Bars Recipe (Hidden Healthy Ingredients)
Servings
9-12
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
20
minutesTotal time
40
minutesCan you think of anything more delicious than a buttery, soft, and gooey blondie bar? I know, right, me neither. This recipe is just that PLUS it has loads of hidden goodies like protein-packed chickpeas (you’re welcome) and vitamin-rich almond butter.
Try this hidden veggie smoothie as another way to sneak in wholesome ingredients into sweet treats.
Ingredients
Base:
1 1/2 cups (240g / 8.5 oz) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup (120g / 4.2 oz) almond or sunflower butter (nut-free option)
1/3 cup (80ml / 2.8 oz) honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup (50g / 1.8 oz) oats, finely ground (can use oat flour)
1/4 cup (40g / 1.4 oz) mashed ripe banana or unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup (30g / 1 oz) mini chocolate chips (optional)
1/4 cup (30g / 1 oz) grated zucchini or carrot (finely grated to hide the texture)
2 tbsp (20g / 0.7 oz) ground flaxseed
1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
1/2 tsp (2.5g) cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2.5g) baking powder
1/4 tsp (1.25g) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1.25g) salt
- Optional add-ins:
2 tbsp (20g / 0.7 oz) unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tbsp (20g / 0.7 oz) hemp seeds
2 tbsp (20g / 0.7 oz) chopped nuts or seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)
Directions
Prepare the ingredients
- Blend the base: In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, almond or sunflower butter, honey or maple syrup, mashed banana or applesauce, vanilla extract, and grated zucchini or carrot. Blend until smooth and creamy, with no visible chunks of vegetables.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ground oats, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. If using any optional add-ins like shredded coconut or hemp seeds, stir them into the dry mixture.
Combine and prepare the blondie batter
1. Mix the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the chickpea mixture from the food processor into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated and a thick batter forms.
2. Fold in chocolate chips: If using, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the blondie bars
1, Prepare the baking pan: Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2, Pour and spread the batter: Transfer the blondie batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly, smoothing the top.
3, Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the blondies for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and cut
1. Cool completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
2. Cut into bars: Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the blondies out of the pan. Cut into 9-12 bars or squares, depending on your preferred size.
Serve and store
1. Serve the blondie bars: Serve these hidden veggie blondie bars as a delicious snack or dessert. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or a sweet treat that parents can feel good about.
2. Store the bars: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to a month.
Kiddie-Friendly Tips
- Hidden veggies: Grate the zucchini or carrot finely so they blend seamlessly into the batter, making them undetectable to picky eaters. You could even steam and puree the veggies for a sneaky way to blend them in.
- Texture control: Ensure the batter is smooth to avoid any unwanted textures that might be off-putting for children with ARFID.
- Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey/maple syrup according to your child’s preferences (aka delight). The mini chocolate chips add a fun, sweet surprise to each bite.
- Involvement: Let kiddies help with mixing the ingredients or sprinkling in the chocolate chips. Engaging them in the process can excite them to try the final product!
