HEALTHY BROWNIE GRANOLA BARS
ingredients
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (GF for gluten-free eaters)
• 1 cup raw nuts (roughly chopped // any of your favourite nuts will work)
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 2 cups pitted dates (soaked for 10 minutes in warm water then drained)
• 3/4 cup cocoa or cacao powder
• 1/4 cup natural salted almond butter (or peanut butter)
• 1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
Instructions
1. Optional step: Toast your oats and pecans in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw – I prefer the toasted flavour.
2. Process walnuts in a food processor until a loose meal is reached. Remove from bowl and set aside.
3. Add dates and process until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a “dough” like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball).
4. Add walnut meal and cocoa or cacao powder back in with the dates and process to combine.
5. Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the (toasted) oats and nuts and stir to combine. You may have to use your hands to really incorporate the mixture well.
6. Next, warm honey and almond butter in a small skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until combined and pourable. Pour over brownie mixture and then thoroughly stir using a wooden spoon. (I opted to put plastic bags on my hands and mix that way to better incorporate the mixture.)
7. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to a 9×13 dish (or similar size pan // adjust if altering batch size) lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily.
8. If using a 9×13, ONLY USE 3/4 of the pan so they have the proper thickness. Otherwise they’ll be too thin. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and press down firmly to even out the top. Freeze for 15-20 minutes to harden.
9. Lift bars from pan and chop into 12 even bars (or more if you prefer). Store in an airtight container in the freezer or fridge to keep them extra fresh. They will get a little sticky when left out at room temp
HEALTHY FLAPJACKS
8 ingredients
• 2 cups oats
• 2 very ripe bananas
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• 2 tbsp rice syrup or raw honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup raisins
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
1. Pre-heat the oven to 175 degrees.
2. Grease your baking square dish with a bit of coconut oil and set aside.
3. In a small bowl mash the bananas with melted coconut oil, rice syrup and vanilla extract.
4. In a large bowl mix the oats, cinnamon, raisins and almonds.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to blend.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for around 40 minutes or until the top is lightly brown.
7. Devour!
