Orange peel cereal bars

This project introduces a cereal bar enriched with 6% orange peel powder, designed to enhance nutritional value while contributing to sustainable food innovation. Fruit peels, particularly from citrus fruits, are often discarded despite containing fibre, vitamin C, and bioactive compounds. By incorporating orange peel powder into a cereal bar, this innovation provides a solution for food waste valorisation and functional snacking. The 6% orange peel powder cereal bar was formulated using rolled oats, chia seeds, peanut butter, and honey, without synthetic additives. The bar was evaluated through physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory analyses. The product showed improved chewiness and vitamin C content compared to the control formulation. Sensory evaluations revealed that the 6% formulation had an acceptable level of bitterness while maintaining desirable taste and texture. This product is practical for busy, health-conscious consumers and offers a new use for underutilised fruit by-products. The innovation demonstrates a feasible method to reduce food waste while introducing a nutritious, appealing cereal bar to the functional food market. The successful incorporation of orange peel into cereal bars presents a novel approach in food innovation and functional product development in Malaysia.