Inspired by some very ripe bananas, a hungry family, and the need to have something on hand for either a quick breakfast or avoiding an afternoon crash, these bars are super easy to whip up, satisfying, and full of flavour. They are gently sweet and so moist, they might be able to pass as cake. AND a little chocolatey goodness is always well received! A great recipe for little people, ravenous teenagers, and busy people alike. Enjoy!
Banana Oat Bars
Prep time: 15 mins
Bake time: 15-20 mins
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups oats
¼ cup ground flaxseeds
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
3 very ripe bananas
2 tsp vanilla
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup honey
½ cup coarsely chopped almonds (or other nuts of choice)
¼ cup unsweetened dried coconut
1/3 cup chocolate chips
Chocolate Sauce:
3 Tbsp cacao
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 Tbsp honey
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Place oats in your food processor and grind into a coarse flour. Place flour in a bowl and whisk together other dry ingredients.
Combine bananas, vanilla, applesauce and honey in your food processor and process until creamy. Stir into your dry mixture.
Stir in almonds, coconut and chocolate chips.
Pour into a lined 8 x 8 pan and smooth the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean and the edges are slightly browned. Cool.
To make chocolate sauce, stir together all ingredients in a small bowl and drizzle over bars. If the chocolate sauce is too thick, place bowl over a steaming pot of boiled water for a few minutes until slightly melted.