Baked Oatmeal Raisin Bars

I always try to have a batch of these (somehow chewy & crunchy) oatmeal bars baked up, they are great for snacks, or on the go breakfasts if you're in a rush. They have no sugar either so they are so much healthier than store bought cereal or granola bars. Try them as an alternative to cookies with a glass of almond milk too!

Ingredients

• 3 cups gluten free oats
• 1//2 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (some vegans don't eat honey)
• 1/2 teaspoon gluten free vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a shallow square baking pan with baking parchment paper.
3. Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl, and press firmly into the baking pan.
4. Bake for approximately 35 mins or until golden brown, turning the pan around halfway through.
5. Let cool for 5 mins, cut the bars to whatever size you fancy, and then let them completely cool before storing them in your cookie jar!

Why not try out your own flavor combinations? Pecan & maple syrup? Chocolate chip & cranberry? Peanut butter & banana? The chocolate chip one is so yummy served warm & gooey with vegan ice cream for a dessert. :)

Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bit Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

I know what your thinking... these little yummies can't possibly be vegan and gluten free, they sound too delicious!? Because even I think that, and I've baked them, (and sampled them). But they are... they really really are! (They are just as delicious as they sound too).

 

 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups gluten free oats
• 1/4 cup gluten free flour
• 3/4 cup (smooth) peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons peanuts
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon gluten free vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablspoons unsweetened vanilla soy milk
• 1/2 cup vegan dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup vegan gluten free mini pretzels

Directions

1. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Pulse the peanuts in a food processor until they are small pieces, or put them im a zip lock and bash, and set aside.
3. Place the pretzels in a ziplock, bash into small pieces, and set aside.
4. Puree or mash the banana and place in a large bowl.
5. Add the peanut butter, soy milk, vanilla, and maple syrup to the banana and mix well.
6. Add the oats, and flour and stir through, until fully combined.
7. Add the choc chips, pretzel bits and peanuts and stir through the cookie mix.
8. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet (I used an ice cream scoop), and bake for 12-15 mins or until golden.
9. These taste best if you let them cool slightly and serve warm, maybe even with ice cream for an extra treat, but they will stay fresh for a few days in a cookie jar!

Blackberry Chia Jam

Continuing on my quest for healthy & delicious gluten free, vegan yumminess for my favourite meal of the day (breakfast, for those of you are wondering), I found this.... Chia Jam! It is so quick & easy to make, and crazy healthy compared to store bought jams & jellies. It's raw, contains no added sugar (just the natural stuff from the blackberries), plus it has the added nutrient packed extra of the new super seed, chia!

Ingredients

• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon water
• agave nectar or stevia to taste

Directions

• Mash the blackberries with a fork (if they are frozen, be sure to let them thaw first).
• Transfer the fruit into a jar, mix in the chia seeds & water.
• You may not need any but you could add a drizzle of agave nectar or a few drops liquid stevia, it just depends how sweet you want the jam.
• Refrigerate for about an hour.
• Toast a slice of your favourite gluten free bread, spread with your fresh homemade chia jam & serve. Delicious and oh so healthy!

If toast isn't your thing, you could have it on oatmeal, pancakes, vegan yogurt/ice cream,  or even on it's own as a snack. This also tastes amazing on one of my favourite brown bag/ picnic lunches... almond butter, grilled banana & jelly sandwich. Or as an extra treat, serve it warm & toasted, think grilled cheese meets pb & j, but a way way healthier and good for you version!