Cashew Chocolate Oat Bars

These baked oat bars are high-fiber and full of healthy fats to keep both your stomach and sweet tooth satisfied! Perfect for a pre-workout snack or with a protein coffee in the morning.

I used cashew butter and whole cashews for this recipe, but feel free to use whatever nut/nut butter you prefer. For the chocolate chips, I like these dark chocolate chips to keep this dairy-free.

Recipe makes 9 servings

Ingredients

• 1 large (150g) banana, very ripe

• 1 egg

• ¼ cup cashew butter

• 2 tbsp (10g) cacao powder

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp maple syrup

• 2 tbsp milk (any)

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp salt

• 2 ¼ cups (200g) oats

• ½ cup (40g) shredded unsweetened coconut

• ½ cup (60g) cashews, roughly chopped + some whole to put on top

• ⅓ cup (50g) dairy-free dark chocolate chips + some to put on top

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with coconut oil.

2. In a large bowl, mash ripe banana. Add the egg, cashew butter, and cocoa powder. Mix until combined.

3. Add vanilla extract, maple syrup, milk, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.

4. Add oats and shredded coconut. Mix before folding in ½ cup each of cashews and chocolate chips.

5. Scoop the mixture into the baking dish and even out the top with a spatula. Sprinkle some cashews and chocolate chips on top. Press them gently into the top.

6. Bake for 20 minutes, then let cool in the pan before removing and cutting.