The starving student: Bake the best breakfast bars

Some of the most convenient breakfasts and snacks are granola bars. However, they have two downfalls — not filling enough and too expensive depending on the brand. The solution? Bake your own! 

The Beaming Baker, another great online food blogger, posted a recipe for her Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars. They are not only filling, but they are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan! They still taste delicious, and only take about 30 minutes total to make. Check out the recipe below:

Dry Ingredients

  • ¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • ¼ cup gluten-free oat flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flax + 6 tablespoons water, whisked together, set for 5 minutes)
  • 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons natural, unsalted peanut butter
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Add-in Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup vegan chocolate chips
  • ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped (or add-ins of your choice)

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or greased foil. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients: oats, flour, coconut, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the wet ingredients: flax eggs, coconut oil, peanut butter, coconut sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
  • Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to fold the ingredients together until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
  • Pour dough into the prepared baking pan. Using a rubber spatula, spread into an even and tightly packed layer.
  • Bake for 20–30 minutes. Mine took 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is a rich golden brown.

Place on a cooling rack for one hour or until completely cool. Lift breakfast bars out of the baking pan. Slice into 16 bars. Enjoy! Storing notes below.