I end most every night on something sweet. What that something is varies. Sometimes it’s homemade, sometimes it’s store-bought, usually it’s chocolatey–I go through phases. But lately it’s been Banana Choc Breakfast Bars from Marfigs Munchies Chocolate Riot ebook.
See here and here and here and there were a bunch of other batches that didn’t get their picture taken.
I know they are technically breakfast bars, but dessert and breakfast are always swapping places in my world. Ice cream for breakfast and breakfast bars for dessert–that’s why I love healthy fruit-based foods.
To be honest, my love for these bars has reached obsession level. Like eat the whole batch in two days obsession level. But hey it’s mostly just fruit and oats and cacao, so I have no problem with that. Well there was that one time I ate them all in one day…not recommended unless you really space it out.
Anyways, these bars are the bomb! I love the chewy base paired with the creamy cold top. So I experimented with that same basic concept but different flavors, and came up with these Cinnamon Streusel Ice Cream Bars.
The basic ingredients are quite similar, with just a few tweaks because it’s not in my nature to leave well enough alone. What’s really different is the non-chocolate flavor profile. Instead there is a lot of cinnamon and a lot of crumbly sweet streusel (my favorite part), making these a divine dessert. Or breakfast, cinnamon has plenty of health benefits after all!
Prep Time:
Print
PinIngredients
Base
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup flax meal
- 12 pitted medjool dates
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 cup brown rice crisp cereal
- 2–3 tbsps non-dairy milk
Ice Cream Layer
- 2 bananas (frozen or not)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp cashew butter or almond butter (optional but highly recommended)
- 2/3 cup non-dairy milk
- 4 pitted medjool dates
Streusel
- 2/3 cup oat flour
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Base: Combine everything in a blender or food processor.
- Process until you have a cohesive sticky dough.
- Press into a 8×8″ pan lined with plastic wrap. Set aside.
- Filling: Combine everything in a blender. Blend till smooth.
- Pour on top of the base.
- Freeze for 1 hour.
- Streusel: Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix with a fork until you have crumbly pebble-sized pieces. Adjust the amount of flour or maple syrup if needed.
- After the bars have been in the freezer for 1 hour, take them out and sprinkle on the streusel. Letting the bars freeze for an hour first prevents the streusel from getting soggy.
- Freeze for an additional 4 hours.
- Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before slicing and eating. Keep in the freezer.
Notes
Inspired by Banana Choc Breakfast Bars from Marfigs Munchies
I think I’m in heaven! You had me at cinnamon. And then you threw in ice cream and streusel and I’m drooling all over my computer! These WILL be happening soon!!
What an amazing combination! I have got to try these.
You do!! You really do, they are hard to describe but delish!
Natalie ! Wow these look amazing … I loved the little video as well it was so well done ? brilliant and I want to make these soon ??
Thank you for checking it out Amanda!
These look scrumptious! I want to try and attempt these this weekend.
Oh yay!! They are pretty easy, I’m sure they will be a success 🙂
Oh Natalie, these look absolutely amazing!!! Cinnamon streusel ice cream bars is such an incredible idea! I mean, major yum factor going on here. And hello, cinnamon is my #1 favorite flavor for a dessert…very close to chocolate, haha! And you are so right, these are so healthy that they can totally pass for breakfast, but I’ve been known to eat a cookie or two in the morning as well, I really don’t care. If I want to eat something, I do. These are beautiful!
The chocolate version had already been done, but they are pretty amazing in chocolate form too! Oooh I’m imaging a delicious mash-up version with chocolate ice cream and cinnamon streusel…mmmm <3 Your two favorite dessert flavors go together so well! I agree, foods really don't have a set time of day for me 🙂
YUM!!!! These look and sound so so good!! 🙂
Thanks Amy!
Ah these look so lovey and I want all of them! Your photography never ceases to amaze me – it’s always so delicate and bright. So glad the bars could inspire to this amazingness – definitely going to give them a go – the streusel sounds divine and any excuse for frozen bananas is always welcome 😀
Seriously, so pretty!
Gah I can’t even count how many batches of your bars I have made, I love everything about them so I had to make a spinoff. But to be honest, I still prefer yours hehe! What can I say chocolate wins…it always wins 🙂 And thank you, I am loving springtime flowers for photo props right now!
I LOVE when a recipe can be eaten as breakfast or dessert….that’s when you know it’s really good and not bad for you! Look at that crumbly, yummy topping! And that gooey crust…and creamy, dreamy center. Just, WOW!!! What a brilliant idea! I adore all things cinnamon, so I know I’d love these! <3
I love it too when all meals are interchangeable, i think that’s why I like fruit-based desserts so much 🙂 I always wish ice cream would keep in the freezer so you don’t have to make a whole batch every time you want some, and these are as close as I can get to that. They satisfy my ice cream cravings but can last in the freezer for a little bit (very little usually ;)) Thanks Mandy <3
Streusel. Like eating baby angel wings. YUM.
These look so easy to make (except for the waiting for it to chill part), healthy, and FABULOUS!
Love, love, love these! Could I do peanut butter instead of cashew/ almond butter? You know how much I love and need my pb 🙂
Bahahahahaha 😀 That is the best description ever, and I agree 100%! Heck yeah, I think pb would be awesome in there! I should’ve done that, but then again the name of these was already so long I don’t think I could squeeze Peanut Butter in between ‘streusel’ and ‘ice cream’. And of course it wouldn’t be right to include pb without acknowledging it! But PB and cinnamon are awesome together <3
YAY! I’m trying it as soon as I have enough bananas 😀
Wow these ice cream bars look so heavenly! I think I could eat the whole batch – I looooooove cinnamon! This is such a beautiful recipe Natalie, I love it! Pinned <3
★★★★★
The whole batch disappears quite easily, but it’s practically just like eating a big bowl of nicecream, right 😉 haha Thanks girl!
OH MY GAAAAAAAWD. These look luscious. They may even rival the Pb Cookie Dough Bars!!!
I think they do actually, at least in my dessert bar ranking! And there isn’t even any chocolate involved…how is that possible! 😮
Some days, if all I do is make a successful batch of out-of-this-world delicious nicecream in some way (like bars or sundaes or mile high smoothie bowls), than I consider it a success. These bars are definitely a success!
Oh I completely agree! Especially if you actually manage to get a pic of it, but even not still a good day 🙂
My eyes are shaped like hearts right now! LOL!
Lol thanks Gigi <3
Mmm… yes please! And adding cashew butter to nice cream is one of my favorite things in the world 🙂 They look absolutely scrumptious. <3 I'm glad you're incorporating a bit of nut butter into your recipes btw — it's a nice change up 🙂
There are some things that just need to be a little nuttier 🙂 Plus raw cashew butter is the bomb, all raw nut butters are so much tastier to me!
Ooooooo ice cream, cinnamon…..absolutely for breakfast as the steamy, sticky hot summer days approach in ? 72 hrs. Fruit ( peaches and blueberry) with of course cinnamon streusal is a DAILY staple in this house!
Your gluten free , dairy free and sugar free recipe with cinnamon will be a test this wknd. I may try to twist it up with my 2 other favorite flavors: chocolate and expresso coffee. See ?breakfast and icy cold. Yummmmm. Thanks to you and arman. P.S. the video? Spectacular to see each step and what to expect….great presentation.MSM
Yes something chilled is almost necessary nowadays unless I want to be sweating after breakfast 😀 Mmm yes peaches and bluebs are two of my favorite summer fruits, especially with streusel! I’m so happy you are going to try it out! Heck yeah mix it up, add in more flavors, sounds delicious 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and for watching!
These look scrumptious! Thoughts on what I can sub banana with? Maybe Coconut cream?
Yes, coconut cream would work great! Probably about 1/2 to 2/3 cup.
Thanks so much! Will let you know how they turn out.
this looks delicious
do you think i can use something else for the flax meal?
thank you
Any kind of nut or seed would be fine really 🙂
thank you! can’t wait to try them!
★★★★★