Lemon Blueberry Zucchini Cake (GF)

This delicious cake is perfect for spring, plus it’s gluten-free (and can easily be made dairy-free with a couple of substitutions)!

INGREDIENTS:

Wet ingredients:

1 cup shredded zucchini (from 1 medium zucchini)

2 eggs

½ cup honey

zest from 2 lemons

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Dry ingredients:

1 ½ cup packed blanched fine almond flour

¾ cup gluten free oat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the blueberries:

1 heaping cup fresh blueberries

2 tablespoons gluten free oat flour

For the lemon frosting:

½ cup butter (or sub vegan buttery stick), at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

To garnish:

Extra blueberries for sprinkling on top

See the entire recipe and directions at Ambitious Kitchen.

No Bake Oat Bran Snack Bites

These little bites are a tasty treat for a quick breakfast or snack, plus they’re no-bake so they won’t heat up your house on hot days! Our Bob’s Red Mill oat bran is also on sale this month for $1.99 a bag, so be sure to pick some up!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup peanut butter, or almond butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup, or honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup almond meal, or almond flour

1/3 cup oat bran

1/4 cup whole flax seeds

1 tablespoon whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour (optional)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped (or raisins or other dried fruit)

1/2 cup roasted almonds, chopped (optional for coating)

See the entire recipe and directions at Best Recipe Finder.

Healthy Oat Bran Muffins

This is a fantastic, healthy oat bran recipe that is full of fiber and low in sugar. Oat bran is full of unique, healthy fibers that can help with heart health and help to stabilize blood sugar levels- oat bran has “soluble fiber” which are carbohydrates that are digested slowly, which in turn help to keep blood sugar in a balanced range.

INGREDIENTS;

• 2 cups oat bran

• 1⁄4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup milk (use non-dairy if needed)

• 1 egg

• 1⁄4 cup honey or 1/4 cup molasses

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  

See the full recipe and directions at Food.com.

Slow Cooker Granola Recipe

This simple recipe makes a fabulous granola that’s easily customizable and is a wonderful snack on it’s own or added to yogurt!

Ingredients:

4 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 cup dried cherries

See the entire recipe and directions at Taste of Home.

Three Ingredient Flourless Banana Bread Cookies

These simple cookies are a delicious and healthy treat or snack on the go- they're great for kids too!

Ingredients:

2 large overripe bananas, mashed
1 cup gluten free oat bran (can sub for rolled or quick oats)
4 T smooth almond butter (can sub for any nut butter of choice)
Add ins of choice- Chocolate chips etc

See the entire recipe and directions at Big Man's World.

PB & J Overnight Oats

These are absolutely delish and can be made the night before for a fast and healthy breakfast- it's great for kids too!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Greek yogurt*
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons no-sugar-added strawberry preserves
2 to 3 strawberries, chopped

*To make dairy free substitute with a dairy free yogurt, blended tofu, applesauce, or pureed bananas

See the entire recipe and directions at Rachel Ray's blog.

Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins

This is a fantastic, high fiber recipe that's perfect for fall! Oat fiber is good for the heart, and pumpkin is full of antioxidants!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1⁄2 cups unprocessed oat bran
1⁄2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed pumpkin
1⁄2 cup milk or nondairy milk
2 egg whites, lightly beaten (or substitute for 1 egg, beaten)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
vegetable oil cooking spray

See the entire recipe and directions at The Genius Kitchen.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

These bars are perfect for a quick breakfast on a hurried morning or as a healthy snack on the go. The recipe is also easily customizable for your family's own specific tastes!

Ingredients:

2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat flour (gluten free flour can be substituted if needed)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond, but any kind will do nicely)
3 tablespoons honey*
2 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy or crunchy—I used natural creamy)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 medium banana, quartered and diced

See the entire recipe and directions at Well Plated.

Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal Cups

These are simple to put together and make a great, quick fall breakfast. They store well too!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats (use certified gluten-free, if necessary)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice mix (or use 1 teaspoon cinnamon,  3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves)
• 1 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk, but most milks should work)
• 3/4 cup plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup honey

Optional add-in ideas:  white chocolate chips, regular chocolate chips, raisins, chopped walnuts

See the entire recipe and directions at Happy Healthy Mama.

Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cakes

This is a fantastic make-ahead recipe for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack.  

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

See the entire recipe and directions at Eating Well.

There's also a quick video on how to make these on Eating Well here.

No Bake Energy Bites

These are a delicious and healthy snack for kids (or anyone).  They’re particularly great since they’re “no bake”.

•    ½ cup coconut flakes
•    1 cup old-fashioned oats
•    ½ cup brown rice crisp cereal
•    ½ cup ground flaxseed
•    ¼ tsp. cinnamon
•    ½ cup nut butter (I've used almond butter and peanut butter, as well as a combination of the two)
•    ⅓ cup honey
•    1 tsp. vanilla
•    ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (can substitute dried blueberries or raisins)

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Read the complete recipe and directions at kristineskitchenblog.com

The “Life Changing Loaf of Bread”

This bread is literally health on a plate.  It’s more dense than most breads, but it’s wonderfully filling and makes a fantastic breakfast or snack.

•    1 cup sunflower seed kernels (not in the shell)
•    ½ cup flax seeds
•    ½ cup hazelnuts or almonds
•    1 ½ cup rolled oats (if making gluten-free, make sure to get certified gluten-free oats)
•    2 tablespoons chia seeds
•    4 tablespoons psyllium seed husks (3 tablespoons if using psyllium husk powder)
•    1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt (add 1/2 teaspoon if using coarse salt)
•    1 tablespoon maple syrup (for sugar-free diets, use a pinch of stevia)
•    3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or ghee
•    1 ½ cup water

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Read the complete recipe and directions at food52.com

Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

On mornings when you're running out the door, it's great to have some healthy granola bars in the house to take with in the car for a quick breakfast (or snack) on the run.

• 2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces*
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

*For a dairy free version, use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks

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Read the complete recipe and directions at inspiredtaste.net

Easy Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal

Steel cut oats are amazing, and higher in fiber than regular rolled oats.  The only thing that can put people off is that they have a long cooking time.  This recipe solves that since it's made the night before.

Even if you're not a fan of oatmeal, I'd recommend giving steel cut oats a try.

• 4 cups (32 ounces) water
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

• optional – dark or light brown sugar, honey or cinnamon to top the oats and mix in for a touch of sweetness or a dollop of peanut or almond butter
• toppings such as toasted walnuts, fresh or dried blueberries, goji berries, fresh blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced banana, cranberries, dried cherries, sliced peaches, fresh mango, you name it

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Read the complete recipe and directions at marinmamacooks.com

Healthy Banana Cookies

These are delicious cookies that also make a nice breakfast or snack for on the go!

• 3 large ripe bananas, very well mashed (about 1 and 1/2 cup)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cups rolled oats (use gluten free oats if necessary)
• 2/3 cup almond meal
• 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut, finely shredded
• 4 tablespoons sunflower seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup rasins or chocolate chips

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Read the complete recipe and directions at sweetmakemesmile.blogspot.com