Chocolate and Banana Oat Bar

My daughter created this snack during her work experience with me today, her brief was to make sure it’s packed with healthy fats, protein and complex carbs that support digestive health.

Ingredients

2 soft bananas

1 apple

210g oats

95g dark chocolate

70g butter

1tbsp ground flax seeds

1 ½  tbsp mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower,

½ tbsp chia seeds

1tsp cinnamon

3tbsp maple syrup

1egg

1tsp baking powder.

Method

Preheat oven to 180oC/160oC fan, and line an 18x25cm shallow tin with baking paper.

Mash up the banana with a fork, grate the apple, you can keep the skin on and chop up the chocolate into smaller pieces.

Heat the butter in a pan, add the maple syrup, crushed banana, grated apple and cinnamon then mix all the ingredients.

Remove the pan from heat and pour into a bowl, add seeds, oats, and baking powder, when slightly cooled add egg, mix well and add chocolate.

Pour the mixture into the tin then spread with a fork.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Leave to cool and cut into squares.  

Health Benefits

Dark chocolate, high in cocoa is rich in flavanols, an antioxidant which prevents oxidated stress that can damage cells and tissues. It is also rich in zinc, iron and magnesium.

Apples, bananas, seeds and oats are a good source of fibre which plays a crucial role in digestive health.

Flax and chia seed are a good source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids.

Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory and has antioxidant properties.