Berry Oat Bars

I can’t believe we’re nearly half way through the year and a step closer into the summer - gosh, where has the time gone this year! Anyways, today I was feeling in the mood for baking something delicious for the week ahead and I came up with these sweet and tart berry bars - honestly, they are so flavorful and satisfying!

These bars make the best snack for the warmer months and can also be a great addition to a morning bowl of yoghurt topped with your favorite nut butter and a drizzle of honey. Now, let’s get into the details of the recipe!

Ingredients

For the bottom layer:

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 cup porridge oats

• 1tsp baking powder

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1tbsp cinnamon

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

• 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted

• 1tsp vanilla extract

For the top layer:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen berries

• juice 1/2 lemon

• 2tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup of chopped walnuts

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line a 8x8 inch tin with parchment paper

2. In a large mixing bowl, add all of the bottom layer ingredients and mix well until getting a crumble-like consistency

3. Transfer the mixture into the tin and press firmly

4. In a separate bowl, add the berries (if frozen make sure to defrost first!), lemon juice and chia seeds. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes

5. Top the bottom layer with the berries and bake for 25 minutes. Add the chopped walnuts 15-20 minutes into baking

6. Before cutting into bars or squares, allow to cool down and refrigerate for 45-60 minutes. Enjoy warmed-up or cold with a lovely cuppa!