Breakfast Bars
by Nigella. Featured in NIGELLA EXPRESSIntroduction
I am addicted to these, and so is everyone I give them to. Although they're quick to throw together, they do take nearly an hour to bake, so what I suggest is, make a batch at the weekend and then you will have the oaty, chewy bars ready and waiting for those days when you have to snatch breakfast on the hoof.
Mind you, they are just like milk and cereal in bar form, so there's nothing to stop you nibbling at one with your morning coffee at home every day. If you are not a morning person, believe me, they will make your life easier.
They also store well; indeed, they seem to get better and better. So just stash a tin with them and remove as and when you want.
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
I am addicted to these, and so is everyone I give them to. Although they're quick to throw together, they do take nearly an hour to bake, so what I suggest is, make a batch at the weekend and then you will have the oaty, chewy bars ready and waiting for those days when you have to snatch breakfast on the hoof.
Mind you, they are just like milk and cereal in bar form, so there's nothing to stop you nibbling at one with your morning coffee at home every day. If you are not a morning person, believe me, they will make your life easier.
They also store well; indeed, they seem to get better and better. So just stash a tin with them and remove as and when you want.
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
Ingredients
Makes: 16 bars
- 1 x 397 grams can condensed milk
- 250 grams rolled oats (not instant)
- 75 grams shredded coconut
- 100 grams dried cranberries
- 125 grams mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame)
- 125 grams natural unsalted peanuts
- 1 x 14 ounces can sweetened condensed milk
- 2½ cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame)
- 1 cup natural unsalted peanuts
Method
- Preheat the oven to 130°C/110°C Fan/gas mark ½/250ºF, and oil a 23 x 33 x 4cm / 9 x 13 inch baking tin, or use a throwaway foil one.
- Warm the condensed milk in a large pan.
- Meanwhile, mix together all the other ingredients and then add the warmed condensed milk, using a rubber or wooden spatula to fold and distribute.
- Spread the mixture into the tin and press down with the spatula or, better still, your hands (wearing disposable vinyl gloves to stop you sticking), to even the surface.
- Bake for 1 hour, then remove from the oven and, after about 15 minutes, cut into four across, and four down to make 16 chunky bars. Let cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 130°C/110°C Fan/gas mark ½/250ºF, and oil a 23 x 33 x 4cm / 9 x 13 inch baking tin, or use a throwaway foil one.
- Warm the sweetened condensed milk in a large pan.
- Meanwhile, mix together all the other ingredients and then add the warmed sweetened condensed milk, using a rubber or wooden spatula to fold and distribute.
- Spread the mixture into the tin and press down with the spatula or, better still, your hands (wearing disposable vinyl gloves to stop you sticking), to even the surface.
- Bake for 1 hour, then remove from the oven and, after about 15 minutes, cut into four across, and four down to make 16 chunky bars. Let cool completely.
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Show more commentsI have made these loads of times, but this will be the first time making them since I've been vegan. I bought condensed coconut milk from Amazon, it sticks together just the same as normal milk.
My son is allergic to peanuts, so I blitzed brazil nuts and used that in place. They are currently in the oven, I am thinking about melting some dark chocolate and dripping it over. Yum!
Made this on the weekend and they were all gone by Sunday Night. I loved how easy it was, I am already getting suggestions from the family for different variations. I had blanched almonds and pecans for the nuts which taste great and as I didn't have other seeds other than sesame, I upped the amount of nuts I put it. New family favourite for sure.
They are just awesome. Seriously if like me you struggle with crumbly flapjacks and wince at the amount of butter and golden syrup needed just to make it come together and taste good then these bars are for you. No fuss only calorie splurge is the condensed milk which you need to bind it altogether anyway. They longer its stashed away in a tin the better it gets!
I have made these a zillion times now and am saving a fortune on cereal bars now for pack ups. I tend to make on Sunday morning and hopefully they last the week! They keep really well in an airtight container. Also so easy to adapt, different seed combinations, different berries. But I never leave out the coconut, even if I do curse picking it out of my teeth later.
I have made these twice and they are simply delicious! Always try to work smart so warmed the condensed milk for 90 seconds in microwave then just mixed all other ingredients into bowl. I take out after 1hrs cooking and cut into 15/18 squares then separate slightly and shape to give a professional look. ut back in oven for further 15 mins to crisp up edges. Have encounterd one problem tho and it's a nice one... One is never enough! They store well if you have the willpower to put the lid on tightly!
As I runner I have found normal snack bars are a waste of time. I've used this recipe and everyone loves them.. To save time and cost now all I do is buy a bag of Museli or Granola and mix it in with the condensed milk and I have found these are a great source of energy on long runs if they last long enough to make it out of the house ????
I have just take them out of the oven. I used hazelnuts and lot of berries, bluberries blackberries, cranberries, goji berry and i covered everything with melted chocolate. I think it is a little too much sweet, but never mind, we will be on diet from next Monday.;) Thanks Nigella!
Just made these and only had sesame seeds so used them and gorgeoussssssss captial G. Can you freeze these is what i would like to know as could prepare them and make in big batches. Thank you.
I made these according to the recipe and loved them. Then after reading about everyone's variations I tried these using dried cherries for the fruit, almonds for the nuts, and cocoa nibs and toasted buckwheat in place of the seeds, which I loved even more! These are so tasty and so easy there's really no reason not to experiment with your favourite ingredients!
Hi from Australia :) These breakfast bars are a blank canvas really ....... I love dried blueberries and macadamias, so I'm going to try that combination for the fruit and nuts instead. Love your shows ! Stay cool ......
I made these for my husband and they came out perfect I have played around with the ingredients - added flaked almonds apricots raisins and glacé cherries. This one is a winner everytime even for a novice cook. Thaks Nigella
I like the simplicity of these bars. I replaced the peanuts with unsalted soya nuts so I could send them to school. I replaced the condensed milk with evaporated milk to reduce sugar, but then promptly added a handful of chocolate chips. they were very moist, so might need the condensed milk to make them crispy. They were happily eaten by all regardless.