On the Go Cherry Almond Bars

Perfect for breakfast on a leisurely morning, a midday snack, or a sweet treat for that afternoon lull without the refined sugar hit! These bars will become a favourite for you and your family. Simple to make yet delicious, they're ideal for lunchboxes too!

Makes 8

• Prep 10 minutes
• Cook 20
• Total 30 minutes
• Storage Tupperware in the fridge for 1 week

Vegan, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups jumbo rolled oats (GF if required)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 3 tbsp ground flax
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup maple
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 2 tbsp almond butter

Cherry Chia Jam

• 1.5 cups frozen cherries
• 1.5 tsp chia
• 1 tbsp maple 

Chia Jam

In a non-stick pan, add the cherries and bring to medium heat. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes until soft. Squash slightly with a spatula. 

Add the chia seeds, maple syrup and pinch of sea salt. Let the jam simmer until thickened, about 2 - 4 minutes on a very low heat. Taste and add more maple syrup if desired for sweetness. Allow to fully cool to firm up. 

Bars

Preheat the oven to 180C / 160 fan.

Mix the oats, shredded coconut, almonds, pumpkin seeds, ground flax, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl. 

In a clean bowl, mix maple, coconut oil, vanilla and almond butter.

Add wet to dry and mix to combine. 

Line a 8 x 8 baking tin with greaseproof paper. Add half the oat mix to the pan and press very firmly to the edges. Add 2/3 of the chai jam in dollops then top with the remaining oat mix and finish with a few dollops of chia jam. 

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden. Allow to cool fully then slice into bars. It’s very important to let them cool to stop the bars crumbling too.