Low Fat Oatmeal Recipe – Banana Bites with Oatmeal

For a healthy low-fat oatmeal recipe try Oatmeal Banana Bites. We’ve made a ton of oatmeal recipes this year and many of them are healthy snack options that have saved us from binging on too many empty calorie and carb treats. This old-fashioned oatmeal recipe is mostly oats, fresh banana, and dried fruit.

What you need for this Low-Fat Oatmeal Recipe

3 cups ROLLED OATS also called OLD FASHIONED OATS
2 cups BANANA
1 cup DRIED FRUIT
½ cup ALMOND BUTTER
1-2 Tbsp CINNAMON
optional:
8oz can crushed pineapple
2 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
(this recipe makes about 30 ping-pong ball-sized treats)

low fat oatmeal recipe

How to Make Oatmeal Banana Bites

  • In a large bowl, mash the bananas very well.
  • Add dried fruit. I use a mix of raisins and Craisins in the video recipe, but choose dried fruit to your liking, just be sure to chop whatever dried fruit you use into sizes similar to raisins. Here are current prices for Craisins on Amazon.
  • Add almond butter to the bowl, or substitute peanut butter, but realize that peanut butter will have a stronger flavor than the almond butter.
  • Then add 1-2 Tbsp of cinnamon powder. If desired, at this point you might add a few optional ingredients. I’ve experimented with crushed pineapple and fresh ginger. If you do add the crushed pineapple, just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.
  • Mix all the ingredients in the bowl together very well, and then fold in the old fashioned oats to form a thick batter. Check current prices for Rolled Oats on Amazon.
  • Mold the batter into shapes slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball and arrange them on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for about 20 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
  • This low-fat oatmeal recipe will keep fresh for a few days stored on the kitchen counter, but for longer storage keep them in the fridge.

These oatmeal treats are a great way to make oats a regular part of your diet, and for another oatmeal recipe idea, try this healthy Low-Fat Apple Crisp Recipe with oatmeal.

low fat apple crisp recipe

Thanks for checking out our oatmeal banana bite recipe. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list and never miss a new Chef Buck cooking video, and also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

Thanks for watching our oatmeal recipe video!

Oatmeal is one of the best foods for reducing cholesterol. Check here for more info on the health benefits of oatmeal.

We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

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Oatmeal Cranberry Bites Easy No-Bake Recipe

oatmeal cranberry bites

Try healthy Oatmeal Cranberry Bites for a treat that will satisfy your sweet craving without putting you on the refined sugar treadmill. You can make these no-bake oatmeal snacks by hand without a food processor.

What you need for No-Bake Oatmeal Cranberry Bites

1 cup OATMEAL aka OLD FASHIONED ROLLED OATS
3 Tbsp ground FLAX SEEDS
½ tsp CINNAMON
½ cup dried CRANBERRIES
½ cup ALMOND SLIVERS (toasted slivers taste best!)
1 cup ALMOND BUTTER (substitute ½ cup peanut butter if desired)
3 to 5 Tbsp HONEY
½ to 1 tsp VANILLA EXTRACT 1 to 2 Tbsp of neutral OIL as needed: Canola, Safflower, or refined Coconut are good choices.

How to Make Oatmeal Cranberry Bites

This one is easy…In a bowl, mix everything together well until it sticks together. Squeeze into balls or smash out on wax paper, then cut into squares. Refrigerate for an hour before eating, and store extra oatmeal bites in the refrigerator for later. Check current prices for Dried Cranberries on Amazon.

oatmeal cranberry bites

Try Apricot Coconut Energy Bites

If you liked Oatmeal Cranberry Bites, then you might like this flavor twist with dried apricot and coconut. This recipe is is oatmeal-free and less chewy and easy to make with a food processor.

Ingredients for Apricot Coconut Treats

½ cup WALNUTS
1 cup shredded unsweetened COCONUT, divided in half
1 Tbsp ground FLAX SEEDS (check current price for Ground Flax Seed on Amazon)
½ cup dried APRICOTS
pinch of SALT
1 heaping Tbsp fresh GINGER, minced
½ tsp CARDAMOM POWDER
1 tsp VANILLA EXTRACT
1 Tbsp SAFFLOWER (or coconut) OIL
1 to 2 Tbsp raw HONEY or other liquid sweetener

How to make these Apricot Bites

  • In a food processor, blend walnuts into small pieces. Remove nuts from the processor and divide into 2 equal parts.
  • In the processor, blend ½ cup of shredded coconut into powder. Remove coconut from processor.
  • Blend apricots into small pieces.
  • Put all ingredients, EXCEPT HALF OF THE WALNUTS, in the food processor and blend till everything begins sticking together.
  • Remove contents of the processor to a mixing bowl and stir in the remaining walnuts.
  • Either scoop and roll the mixture into balls or press onto a wax-paper covered pan and cut into squares. If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate the mixture until it hardens, about 30 minutes.
  • Unlike the cranberry oatmeal bites, these raw-oat free treats do not require any time to set in the fridge. Once the energy bites are are formed, they’re ready to eat. Store uneaten energy bites in the fridge.

Cashew Coconut Energy Bite Recipe

We’re on a roll, so here’s one more easy energy bite recipe idea.

Ingredients for Cashew Coconut Energy Bites

2 cups raw CASHEWS
1 cup pitted DATES
1 Tbsp COCONUT OIL
1 Tbsp MAPLE SYRUP
1 tsp VANILLA EXTRACT
¼ tsp SALT
½ cup SHREDDED COCONUT
juice and zest of 1 small LEMON

How to make Cashew Coconut Energy Bites

  • Place the raw cashews in a food processor and chop for a few moments. Your cashews should be chopped fine.
  • Add pitted dates and chop to the same size.
  • Add coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to the cashew/date mixture.
  • Zest one small lemon. Now, mince the zest and add it to the mixture.
  • Slice the lemon and squeeze all of the juice into the mix.
  • Mix thoroughly.
  • Shape the mixture into ball shapes. Make whatever size you like for snacking. I think grape size is best.
  • Next, roll the balls in shredded coconut to coat the outside.
  • And that’s it! Snack away! The balls can be stored in the fridge until desired. In fact, they taste best right out of the fridge!

If you liked the Oatmeal Cranberry Bites and energy treats, then try these No-Bake Oatmeal Fudge Bars.

oatmeal fudge bars

Thanks for checking out our Oatmeal Cranberry Bites and energy ball recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list and never miss a new Chef Buck cooking video, and also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

Thanks for watching our Oatmeal Cranberry Bites recipe video!

Oatmeal is one of the best foods for reducing cholesterol.

We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

Share and Enjoy !

Creme Fraiche – Great Homemade Sour Cream

creme fraiche recipe

This Crème Fraîche recipe is like a homemade sour cream but less tangy, and it’s easy to make, just heavy cream mixed with live cultures. Crème Fraîche is easy to make and can be 3-4 times cheaper than store-bought crème fraîche. It’s is a thickened cream, similar in consistency to sour cream, but without the sharp tanginess. 

Homemade Crème Fraîche Recipe

All you need to make crème fraîche is
HEAVY CREAM also called Heavy Whipping Cream
YOGURT or BUTTERMILK with live cultures A crème fraîche made with buttermilk has more tang.

A Crème Fraîche recipe practically makes itself. All you have to do is introduce the two parties, put them together in a warm environment around 70F, and then let them hang out for 12-24 hours. How long it takes for the cream to thicken will mostly depend on the room temperature; if it’s a bit warmer or cooler in the room, it might take a bit shorter or longer time to make crème fraîche.

I generally make 16oz of crème fraîche at a time. This is a convenient size for heavy whipping cream. Heavy whipping cream and heavy cream are similarly used names for the exact same product, so whichever label you buy will work fine. Heavy cream is cream with a milkfat content greater than 35%, by contrast, half and half is ½ milk and ½ cream, with a milkfat content around 12%. This higher fat content allows crème fraîche be added to simmering dishes without curdling, adding creaminess to soups and sauces, eggs, etc..

In a jar, combine 16oz of heavy cream with 2 Tbsp of cultured buttermilk or yogurt. It is essential that the yogurt or buttermilk contain live cultures, since this is the agent that will allow the heavy cream to thicken.

Need a jar? Check current prices for Mason Jars on Amazon.

Stir the ingredients together, and then top the jar with a loose fitting lid or mesh, a coffee filter works great. Set jar aside and allow to rest at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
The cream will thicken over time, stir occasionally if desired. Once the cream thickens to the consistency of yogurt, place the crème fraîche in the refrigerator. It will continue to thicken and
will keep 8 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

creme fraiche recipe
Delicious crème fraîche can be made at home simply and inexpensively.

What can you do with Crème Fraîche?

It makes an ideal topping for desserts; it is rich and velvety smooth and can transform whatever it tops into a dessert, especially fruit. Or it can add creaminess to savory dishes as well. Crème fraîche has a high fat content, so it can be added into dishes as they cook and the cream will resist curdling. Add crème fraîche to soups and sauces to create a smooth, creamy richness. Crème fraîche can be used in any way you might use a whipped topping or sour cream, but the simplicity and richness of this thickened cream can elevate a dish to something special.

Love Mexican food? You can use this recipe to make a fresh, delicious Mexican crema that is better than what you buy in the stores. Mexican crema is basically crème fraîche with a bit of lime juice and salt added after it has sat in the frig for a day. And for an extra tang, use cultured buttermilk instead of the yogurt. What you will get is thick, creamy goodness that is a great topping for chilaquiles, pozole, tacos …. the list is endless!

My Favorite Ways To Use Crème Fraîche

Use crème fraîche as a fruit topping. It turns fruit into dessert. An actual dessert if you top with powdered sugar as well.
Saute apples in butter and cinnamon and then top with crème fraîche. Holy cow it’s good.
Or just drop a dollop of crème fraîche on pie or cake.
Stir crème fraîche into pasta to add a decadent creaminess. Mac ‘n cheese!
Stir crème fraîche into soups and sauces, it will add creaminess without curdling.
Top oatmeal with crème fraîche to turn a bland breakfast into a better breakfast.
Add crème fraîche to scrambled eggs for the creamiest eggs ever.

If you’ve never tried crème fraîche then give it a go. And if you’ve only previously bought it from the store, definitely try this homemade crème fraîche recipe.

Here’s some desserts that would look nice under a dollop of crème fraîche!
Try a homemade Fruit Cobbler Recipe.

creme fraiche
homemade fruit cobbler

Or try crème fraîche on a fancy French Baked Pear Recipe.

pear salad

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Thanks for watching our recipe videos!

We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

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