“Monkey Bars” (Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars)

There’s no “monkey business” in these Monkey Bars; nutritious Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars that make a perfectly portable snack! Made with oats,  ground flax, chia seeds, peanut butter and banana chips {plus few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips, if you wish} these wholesome granola bars are the ultimate “fun fuel.”

Disclosure:  This post is written in partnership with Stonyfield Organic as a member of their Clean Plate Club. I received complimentary passes to my local zoo as a part of this month’s campaign.  As always, the opinions here are all my own!

Reason #348793 I love Stonyfield Organic: Not only do they love their cows, but they extend their love to ALL animal-kind!

You guys, I won’t bore you with the many, many reasons why I’m loyal to Stonyfield {although if you’re really interested, you can hear me wax poetic here and here}, but I have some fun news today that just adds adds fuel to the yogurt-loving fire: Stonyfield YoKids is teaming up with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums {AZA} to sponsor the AZA SAFE {Saving Animals From Extinction} Program! This program’s goal is to save endangered animals from extinction through its main tenets of conservation action, public engagement and wildlife expertise.

This should really come as no surprise since Stonyfield has been committed to conservation and sustainability since it began; this powerful partnership will not only be directing funds to field work, but also encouraging families to visit conservation projects first hand at zoos and aquariums across the nation. What better way to learn to appreciate the planet and its animal inhabitants than to see them face to face in the places that are fighting hard to keep dwindling species alive and thriving?

Among the 10 endangered species that Stonyfield will be supporting is the amazing African Penguin. In fact, you’ll be seeing African Penguins featured right on Stonyfield’s YoKids packaging this year!

But pictures of precocious penguins aren’t all you’ll find on each pack  — you can also find an offer for a FREE kid’s ticket {when you buy an adult ticket} for one of the 131 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums right in your own community when you purchase 2 specially-marked multi-packs by the end of September!

Of course, I couldn’t pass up an offer to visit my local AZA-Accredited zoo — Palm Beach Zoo — with my own little guy last week.

The Palm Beach Zoo {formerly Dreher Park Zoo} was a huge part of my own childhood since the end of our street literally butted up to the entrance to the zoo’s adjoining park and one of my best childhood friends lived just across the road from the main gate. It was a treat to visit during school field trips as well as with friends and family… but I have to tell you, the zoo of my youth is a far cry from the zoo as it stands today.

Not to sound like an old geezer, but “back in my day” the zoo was an extremely humble version of the stunning 23 acre compound that it’s become. {See map above. Wow.} Now,  you can spend practically an entire day strolling through the different exhibits and habitats that house more than 550 different animals {190 species!}. From the stunning Cornell Tropics of the Americas to the zoo’s Interactive Fountain Plaza, there are adventures to be found around every corner — and there are a lot of “corners”!

We brought some friends along with us as we explored everything the zoo has to offer, and even our youngest animal-lover had a great time!

All that playing can sure make kiddos {and their parent, who are we kidding} hungry, so packing snacks is essential. The good news is Stonyfield YoKids has a variety of yogurt products in cups, squeezers and smoothies that are easy to tuck into coolers for picnics and on-the-go eating… the GREAT news is that they’ve recently announced a sugar reduction across their products, making YoKids an option with 40% less sugar than the leading low-fat kids yogurt!

Along with our Whole Milk Yogurt Pouches, I love to have a quick, nutritious snack on hand for my little monkey. These “Monkey Bars” have become just the type of treat that’s a staple for adventure-filled days!

Made with oats,  ground flax, chia seeds, peanut butter and banana chips {and a few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips, if you wish!} these wholesome granola bars are the ultimate “fun fuel.” Truth be told, they’re also one of the snacks I pack not just for the kids, but also for myself!

Ready to explore your own local AZA-accredited zoo? Learn more about how you can get your free kid’s ticket and find out more about Stonyfield and the AZA’s partnership {plus fun games, adorable videos and more} right here!

Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Banana Granola Bars

Made with oats,  ground flax, chia seeds, peanut butter and banana chips {plus few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips, if you wish} these wholesome granola bars are the ultimate “fun fuel.”

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Course Appetizer, Dessert, Snack

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 10 bars

Author Dianna Muscari

Ingredients  

• 1 cup rolled oats {I used gluten free}
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup ground flax or flax blend
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• ⅓ cup roughly chopped banana chips
• Pinch of salt
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter {or almond butter}
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions 

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with foil and spray liberally with non-stick spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine oats, almonds, flax, chia seeds, banana chips and salt.
• In a small saucepan, melt butter, honey and peanut butter together over medium high heat until in begins to simmer. Bring to a boil and allow to bubble for about 1 minute, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. {It will bubble and steam so be careful.}
• Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir together until all of the dry mixture is coated.
• Scoop into prepared pan and press down to pack it a bit and even out the top.
• Sprinkle chocolate chips {if using} over the top and press down lightly to adhere them.
• Bake for about 18-20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. {If you cut it while it's warm, it will crumble.}
• Store in an airtight container -- they won't last long!

Dianna's Tips

Adapted from Ina Garten's Granola Bar recipe on Food Network.com