Nutrient Ninjas - Hidden Banana Flapjack

Here’s a simple Stealth Health Recipe for Hidden Banana Flapjack that’s packed with nutrients. I managed to sneak bananas past my fussy eater—hopefully, you can too!

Hidden Banana Flapjacks - Invisibly healthy treats!

Ingredients:

- 2 large ripe bananas (mashed)

- 2 cups rolled oats

- 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds

- 2 tbsp chia seeds

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- Optional: a pinch of salt

To be completely honest, you can ‘chuck in’ whatever ingredients, in whatever amounts, you think will work for your child. The idea is to add as much goodness as you can, as stealthily as possible. You know your child best. And if that means adding chocolate chips, honey, or even a chocolate topping—go for it!

Method (although I’m pretty sure you don’t need it!)

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. In a bowl, mash the bananas.

3. Add the oats, seeds, salt (if using), and cinnamon. Mix well.

4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the flax and chia seeds to bind.

5. Press into a lined baking tray.

6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and firm.

7. Cool and cut into squares.

💡 Why It’s Great:

- Banana:Rich in potassium, natural sweetness, and prebiotic fibre.

- Seeds:Packed with fibre, protein, and healthy fats.

- Oats:High in soluble fibre (beta-glucan), which helps regulate blood sugar.

- Ground flaxseeds:Excellent source of fibre, rich in omega-3, supports hormone balance.

- Chia seeds:High in fibre and omega-3.

- Cinnamon:Antimicrobial and anti-parasitic; helps balance blood sugar.

- Salt(ideally Malvern or Himalayan): Provides essential sodium.

- No added sugars:Better for immune support and gut balance.

How Baking Affects Nutrients in Bananas (in case you were wondering):

- Vitamin C: Some loss during baking (it’s heat-sensitive).

- Potassium & Fibre:Mostly retained.

- Prebiotic benefits:Still present, but slightly reduced.

Of course, we’d all love our children to eat bananas straight from the fruit bowl—but for some, that’s just not going to happen and hidden bananas are a huge win!

I hope you can be a successful Nutrient Ninja too!

Let me know if you manage to sneak bananas past your fussy eater!

Much love,

Charlotte x