recipes
Grab-and-Go Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars for Busy School Days
The combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet fruit has been familiar, comforting and easy to enjoy for generations. Think beyond the traditional sandwich by turning those flavors into these snackable Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars. With a texture somewhere between baked oatmeal and a soft granola bar, the bars are moist but hold together well, making them a tasty, healthy option to take on the go.
Grab-and-Go Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars for Busy School Days
(Feature Impact) Peanut butter and jelly is a childhood favorite for a reason. The combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet fruit has been familiar, comforting and easy to enjoy for generations.
Think beyond the traditional sandwich by turning those flavors into these snackable Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars. With a texture somewhere between baked oatmeal and a soft granola bar, the bars are moist but hold together well, making them a tasty, healthy option to take on the go.
Naturally gluten-free, oats provide whole-grain carbohydrates and fiber to keep kids energized and satisfied, whether they’re grabbing bars for breakfast or adding them to their lunchboxes. Peanut butter contributes protein and healthy fats for nutritional balance, while bananas and jam increase the family’s daily fruit intake.
The recipe is forgiving, so feel free to experiment with extra mix-ins like flaxseed, hemp hearts or chopped nuts. To adapt it for nut allergies, swap in sunflower seed butter or a different alternative. Use whatever type of jam, preserves or fruit spread your family prefers.
Decorate the bars – and add a little extra sweetness – by drizzling on a Greek yogurt glaze and sprinkling colorful dried berries over the top.
Find more recipes for your family to enjoy throughout the school year at Culinary.net.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat Bars
Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 25 minutes
Servings: 16
- 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large)
- 1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned whole oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- raspberry or strawberry jam, to taste
Greek Yogurt Topping (optional):
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries, to taste
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on sides to easily remove bars from pan. Set aside.
- In large bowl or stand mixer, mash bananas. On medium speed, whisk in peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, milk, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Batter should be thick but still pourable.
- Pour mixture into prepared pan and use spoon or knife to swirl jam into batter. Bake 25-28 minutes, or until center is set.
- Remove from oven and cool at room temperature 30-60 minutes then refrigerate pan until chilled, about 1 hour.
- Lift parchment paper to remove bars from pan then cut into 16 equal squares.
- To make optional yogurt topping: In bowl, whisk yogurt, vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before drizzling on bars. Add dried fruits, as desired.
- Store leftover bars in airtight container and refrigerate up to 10 days.
Notes: Egg can be replaced with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. Bars are difficult to cut before chilling.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
SOURCE:
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Food and Beverage
Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken with a Superfood Swap
Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken: When you’re craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren’t going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal like these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes.
Enjoy Tangy, Spicy Buffalo Chicken with a Superfood Swap
(Feature Impact) When you’re craving a specific comfort food, other flavors just aren’t going to hit the spot the same way. The good news: It only takes one or two simple ingredient changes to satisfy your taste buds while leveling up the nutrition of a meal.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
For instance, if you’re jonesing for the zesty kick of buffalo sauce, your mind might initially go to pizza and wings. This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes recipe featuring North Carolina Sweetpotatoes invites you to rethink that takeout order and enjoy the same bold, satisfying flavors in a more nutritious way. They’re a little sweet and a little spicy with savory chicken and creamy avocado stuffed jacket-style inside a nutrient-dense baked sweetpotato.
Sweetpotatoes – deliberately spelled as one word to better differentiate this unique root vegetable from traditional potatoes – are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The American Diabetes Association even calls them a “diabetes superfood,” as they raise blood sugar more slowly than other starchy foods while allowing you to savor some natural sweetness. They’re also a great choice for athletes, thanks to complex carbohydrates that boost energy and nutrients that support endurance and recovery.
Find more ways to level up your favorite flavors at ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweetpotatoes
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
- 4 sweetpotatoes
- 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups buffalo sauce
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 tablespoons diced chives
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Place sweetpotatoes on lined baking sheet and use fork to pierce each one for venting. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender.
- Let sweetpotatoes cool slightly then use knife to gently cut each open lengthwise and crosswise. Use fork to lightly mash inside sweetpotatoes.
- In large bowl, combine shredded rotisserie chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Spoon buffalo chicken mixture into each sweetpotato. Top with diced avocado and chives.
SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
5 Habits to Boost Immunity During Cold and Flu Season
(Feature Impact) Your immune system is your strongest ally during cold and flu season, working hard to keep you healthy as you start hearing those telltale coughs and sneezes all around. Help your body do its job well by adopting a few simple habits that naturally support its ability to fight off germs or recover faster.
Talk to your healthcare provider for personalized advice then work on making these habits normal in your household.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is like a wonder drug that can improve nearly every aspect of health and wellness. Physical activity increases blood flow, reduces long-term inflammation, helps immune cells circulate through the body to guard against invaders and may even flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways. Plan to fit at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise into each week, like a bike ride, brisk walk, yoga class or on-demand video workout.
Eat Foods That Support Immune Health
To keep your immune system fueled, experts recommend eating a varied diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and healthy fats like olive oil. Consider adding fresh grapes to your diet to enjoy benefits from their naturally occurring plant compounds.
Protecting the body starts all the way down at the cellular level, and grapes contain powerful polyphenols that support the health and function of cells. Studies indicate certain compounds in grapes, like resveratrol and flavonoids, support immune system function as well as brain, skin, GI and heart health.
These little fruits are easy to add to your diet, whether you enjoy sweet, juicy Grapes from California by the handful or toss them in a blender to make this California Grape Wellness Juice recipe. Support multiple aspects of wellness with the drink’s powerful combination of fruits and vegetables, delivering a variety of immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water helps clean your lymphatic system, which is responsible for producing special white blood cells that fight germs. It also keeps membranes in your nose and mouth moist, decreasing infection risk. If you struggle to drink enough, eating water-rich foods like grapes also helps you improve hydration.
Practice Good Germ Hygiene
To increase your odds of staying healthy during peak illness season, hearken back to the tried-and-true hygiene advice your parents might have tried to drill into your head as a kid. Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, avoid touching your face while out and about, keep your distance from symptomatic people and disinfect commonly used surfaces like doorknobs when someone in the house or office is sick.
Sleep More, Stress Less
Before you start feeling stressed that you aren’t getting enough sleep, rest assured there are easy changes you can make to support your well-being in both areas. Try switching up your nightly routine to be oriented less around screens and more around calming activities that actually help you wind down, like yoga, meditation or reading.
Discover more health information and recipes at GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
California Grape Wellness Juice
Servings: 3 (1 cup each)
- 5 cups black or red Grapes from California
- 1/2 cup peeled raw beet slices
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 small carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 piece fresh turmeric (1-inch), peeled and sliced or1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- In high-speed blender, puree grapes, beet slices, orange juice, lemon juice, carrot and turmeric until smooth.
- Pour through fine mesh sieve, stirring to extract as much juice as possible, about 3 cups. Stop when mixture starts to get thick. Enjoy immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes: This juice can also be added to iced tea or fizzy water.
Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 3 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 0.5 g fat (2% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 mg sodium; 0 g fiber.
SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission
Last Updated on September 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Maintaining a healthy eating plan can be challenging year-round, and busier fall schedules can make those goals even more difficult. Finding easy-to-make favorites can keep you and your loved ones on track as you navigate those hectic moments this autumn.
One simple yet delicious solution: Chopped Salad Kits and Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kits from Dole, which make it easy to incorporate vegetables without the hassle of kitchen prep. Take the guesswork out of meal planning for your time-starved family with these limited-ingredient, kit-based dishes.
Mexican Street Corn Bowls with Grilled Chicken provide a perfect balance of hearty yet nutritious flavor while taking advantage of the convenience of prepackaged ingredients. Perfect for fall weather, Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Soup requires just three ingredients and hungry loved ones for a filling meal worth celebrating.
For more original easy-to-make fall recipes, nutritional insights and information, visit Dole.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Mexican Street Corn Bowls with Grilled Chicken
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 cup dry instant brown rice
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 large ears fresh corn, silks and husks removed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 Dole Limes, juice only (about 3 tablespoons), divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 package (12.9 ounces) DOLE® Chopped Chipotle & Cheddar Kit
- 1 Dole Avocado, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped Dole Pineapple
- Prepare grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat. Prepare rice according to package instructions.
- Brush all sides of chicken and corn with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place chicken and corn on hot grill rack; cover and cook 8 minutes, or until grill marks appear and internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 F, turning chicken once and corn frequently. Transfer chicken and corn to cutting board; let stand 5 minutes. Cut corn kernels from cobs into medium bowl. Slice chicken 1/4-inch thick crosswise.
- Add 1 tablespoon lime juice, cilantro and paprika to corn; toss and fold in Parmesan cheese. In small bowl, whisk dressing from salad kit and remaining lime juice.
- Serve rice in bowls topped with avocado, pineapple, chicken, corn mixture and remaining contents of salad kit drizzled with dressing mixture.
Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 DOLE® Homestyle Roasted Herb Sheet Pan Meal Starter Kit
- 1 container (32 ounces) chicken broth
- 1 cup whole-wheat pasta shells, cooked
- Prepare sheet pan meal starter kit according to package instructions. Transfer to cutting board and carefully cut chicken and vegetables into 1/2-inch pieces.
- In medium saucepot over medium-high heat, bring chicken broth to simmer. Stir in pasta shells, chicken and vegetables. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
SOURCE:
Dole
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