Vegan Banana Oat Bars with Peanut Butter & Dates

Directions

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a medium-sized baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with vegetable oil.

In a small mixing bowl, combine chia seeds and oat milk. Allow to sit for 10 minutes to form a chia egg.

In a large mixing bowl, add the mashed bananas, maple syrup, peanutbutter, and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined.

Fold in the chia seed mixture into the banana mixture using a spatula, blending until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the quick oats, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

Gently fold in the chopped dates, chopped cashewnuts, and shredded coconut into the batter until evenly distributed.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, and spread it out evenly using a spatula.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool in the dish for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, cut the mixture into bars. Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.