Today we are starting something a little different. Would you all please help me welcome my husband Konrad to the blog! Technically, he isn't new to this site. He actually encouraged me to start and has helped me build this blog from the very beginning. But today I am letting him talk to you for the first time.
Unlike me, he is lot more comfortable in front of the camera. Make sure to check out his video below where he explains how this "Breadless Breakfast" series came to be. We plan on weekly installments with new recipes and progress reports - so stay tuned.
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Hi everyone,
As Regina mentioned, my name is Konrad and I am her husband.
Basically what happened was, a friend of mine pointed out to me (in his broken English) that I needed to stop eating bread - saying the "yeast content in it" was blowing me up.
Being healthy and buzzing with energy, I never really was concerned with my weight gain - but had been wondering where it was all coming from. After all, I was eating fairly healthy (in my honest opinion).
Let me explain:
I knew he had a point when I thought it through and realized that I do consume a LOT of bread. I love my burgers - but do keep an eye on not eating them too often.
One thing I never did keep an eye on though was the fact that every one of my breakfasts consisted of bread. How does one go from eating bread for breakfast every day to not eating bread at all? What will I eat instead?
More importantly, what will going breadless do for me weight and health wise? Regina and I have been getting creative and will be sharing some of our "Breadless Breakfast" alternatives in this series once a week.
I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this venture.
Konrad
UPDATE: I have since gone on to replace breakfast altogether with protein meal replacement shakes.
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So now that you know why Konrad is avoiding bread, here is what we made this week as alternative easy, grab & go breakfast: Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
In the video, Konrad mentions his usual breakfasts which consisted of white buns with peanut butter and honey. These bars are a healthier, breadless spin on the same flavors. This peanut butter granola also comes close.
We still have grains, but the white bread is replaced with healthier wholegrain oats. There are peanut butter and honey (his usual bread toppings) in these bars. Additionally, Medjool dates are sweetening and bind everything together.
And lastly, peanuts! They add an awesome crunch factor and are packed with protein - the key to a filling meal.
If you're not the grab & go breakfast type, these bars are also awesome as afternoon snack. But who am I kidding - this breastfeeding mommy can and does snack any time of day!
If you gave this recipe a shot instead of your usual breakfast routine, please share your thoughts with Konrad and I! We would love to hear your feedback on our breakfast ideas!
Alternative Recipes
Also, if you liked these protein packed bars, give these recipes a try, too!
- Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- PB & Banana Cookies
- Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Cookies & Vegan
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipe
- Paleo Tigernut Granola
Recipe
Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats toasted
- 1 ½ cups peanuts
- ¾ cup medjool dates pitted
- 6 tablespoons peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon salt only if using unsalted peanuts
Instructions
- Place rolled oats on a baking sheet and toast at 350 degrees F for 5-7 minutes to desired level. Place into a large bowl with peanuts.
- Blend pitted dates in a food processor until smooth. Scrape sides if needed.
- Place processed dates, peanut butter, honey and optional salt into a small saucepan. Heat on low while stirring until combined and smooth.
- Pour over oats and peanuts and mix well to combine. Press mixture into a line 8x8 inch pan and chill in fridge or freezer until set. Cut into bars.
- I like to keep them in a container in the freezer to keep fresh.
Pin Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars recipe for later?
Recipe inspired by Minimalist Baker
Random Questions
The binding agents, such as sticky sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or even Medjool dates, are what help the ingredients in granola bars stick together. These ingredients not only add sweetness but also act as a cohesive force in the recipe.
Generally, making granola bars at home can be more cost-effective compared to buying pre-packaged bars from the store. This is because you have more control over the ingredients and can buy the components in bulk, which can be more budget-friendly in the long run.
Soaking oats before making granola bars is not necessary for all recipes, but it can help soften the oats and make them easier to digest, especially if you prefer a chewier texture. Soaking oats can also reduce the baking time in the oven, resulting in a softer and more cohesive bar.
Homemade granola bars can be a healthy snack option, especially when you have control over the ingredients. Using wholesome components like whole grains, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners allows you to create a nutritious and balanced snack, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, without the excess sugars or preservatives found in some store-bought varieties.
Ann
Thanks for this recipe
I added 1/4 cup coconut and they were delicious.
Lesley
Can you tell me about how many calories per bar this recipe is?
Regina
I don't really know, because I don't count calories. But there are tools like https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator to easily calculate whatever you need
Stephanie
these look so delicious! I wonder if i can substitute honey with maple syrup or if it won't get hard?
Regina
I think maple syrup would work too. Maybe start with only 4 tablespoons and add the other 2 only of needed.
APARTMENT2504.WORDPRESS.COM
Danke fuer die schnelle Antwort 🙂
Regina
Kein Problem 😉
Min
Hi Regina! I saw this on your instagram feed and just had to race over here! I'm so glad that I did! It's so neat to meet another blogging couple ;). I blogged by myself for about a year before my husband joined me in my adventure. I guess I was having too much fun by myself ;).
I enjoyed watching the video, and best of luck to you, Konrad! My husband needs to stop eating his burgers too…but I look the other way since the man only gets to eat out once a week haha. Love these bars and the addition of dates..and of course peanuts! Look forward to following y'all ;).
Konrad Braun
Min, thanks for stopping by. I do have other blogging outlets but Regina had been bugging me for a while to get more involved with her blog (I think she's trying to turn me into a more consistent blogger, lol). Either way, when we close this breadless breakfast series (no idea when that will be), I plan on celebrating with a burger of choice at a restaurant of choice... missing them too much already.
After all is said and done though, it's been a great couple of weeks OFF of bread. I guess I have become more aware of just how much what we eat really affects how we feel.
Regina
Let's see if Konrad catches the food blogging bug during this series and sticks around 😉
And I agree with you the dates and peanuts make these bars so awesome and unique!
Angie (@angiesrecipess)
My husband is crazy for granola bars with peanuts!! The only problem with those delicious treats is that one cannot stop eating just one or two. These look so delicious!
Thanks for sharing, Konrad, Regina!
Angie
Regina
I am the same way, granola bars, oatmeal cookies (even the healthy ones) I have a hard time stopping at one. Konrad seems to have more self-control in that regard. He will have a breakfast cookie for just breakfast, not as mid-day and afternoon and late-night snack like me 😉
Amy @ Fearless Homemaker
Welcome, Konrad! =) These look SO wonderful - what a great breadless breakfast! Looking forward to seeing what other fab recipes come out of this series.
Konrad Braun
Thanks Amy 🙂
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Mmmm... peanut butter! I like a nice thick smoothie for breakfast - super filling! 🙂
Regina
A smoothie/shake is definitely planned for this series. Maybe it will even have some peanut butter 😉
Manuela
Can't wait for more breadless breakfast ideas. I usually make myself some hearty scrambled eggs if I don't want to eat bread but that is not a "grab and go" breakfast. have you ever tried traditional sourdough? Just flour, water and salt. Have never tried making it myself but would love to one day.
Ps: Love Livi's input from the background 😀
Regina
Yup, she's got a say in everything now 😉
Egg scramble is exactly what Konrad makes when he is off in the morning. Its a great filling and healthy breakfast option. I actually have a sourdough starter in my fridge. But the bread I made from it so far was super dry and crumbly. We love to use it for biscuits (https://leelalicious.com/sourdough-sausage-biscuits/) though 😉
Konrad Braun
Thanks Manu 🙂
I love my bacon/onion/scrambled-eggs breakfasts.