Healthy, gluten free banana oatmeal breakfast bars

From: www.ambitiouskitchen.com

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups gluten free oats
• 1/2 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 medium ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (gluten free, if desired)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup honey (agave nectar if vegan)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (vegan, if desired) 

For chocolate drizzle:

• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

To make oat flour: Place oats into blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until oatmeal resembles flour. You may need to stop blender and stir oats a couple of times to ensure that all oats have been blended. Transfer oat flour medium bowl; whisk in baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside.

Place bananas, vanilla, applesauce, and honey into blender; blend 1-2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add to oat flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Gently fold in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly with rubber spatula. Bake for 15 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Cool 10-15 minutes on wire rack.

Prepare drizzle by adding 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds; stir well to combine then drizzle over the top of bars. Cut bars into 16 squares and enjoy!

Notes

• Bars can be frozen. Simply bake, cool, cut; store in ziploc bag. Reheat individually for 30 seconds in microwave.
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• Make sure you read all ingredients and nutrition info to ensure recipe is gluten free/vegan, if that is what you desire.
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• Fold in 1/4 cup coconut flakes or extra chocolate chips for an even sweeter treat!
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• Extra ripe bananas are best for this recipe.

Alternate option:
Add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup for the entire batch in place of the 1/4 cup honey, and use plain yogurt or almond milk for all or part of the applesauce if I don’t have it. I find some bit of dairy makes it moister.