Extra Chewy Chocolate Steel Cut Oat Bars

Extra Chewy Chocolate Steel Cut Oat Bars

I know, I know...Steel Cut Oat bars? Have I totally lost it?! But eating raw oats is bad for you! NOT. In fact, while raw oats are a little harder to digest and might make some people a little extra gassy (which is totally normal, bro), they're chock full of fiber and when a glass of water is enjoyed alongside a bar, you'll have NO PROBLEMS. These bars are sweet, extra chewy, and fill you up unlike a lot of granola bars parading the grocery aisles these days. These bars are also sugar free (!) which is always a plus. I've been enjoying these chocolatey little things after a long snowshoe outside or as a sweet treat after breakfast.They're delicious! And a great way to use up all those steel cut oats sitting in the back of the cupboard. The drizzle of chocolate adds just a bit more sweetness...and who doesn't love a little extra chocolate?

Ingredients:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup brown rice syrup, sorghum syrup, or date syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups quick-cooking steel cut oats*
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup ground flax
1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped bar chocolate
1-2 ounces of melted chocolate, for topping

*Regular steel cut oats are a little thicker. If using those, throw about half into a coffer grinder to get a similar consistency

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl combine oats, almonds and ground flax, and chocolate. Set aside.
In a small sauce pan, combine coconut oil, brown rice syrup, and vanilla. Simmer on low, stirring occasionally, until mixture melts together and comes to a uniform consistency.  Pour over the dry ingredients, using a wooden spoon to mix everything together. The chocolate will get melty at this point and turn the whole mix deliciously chocolatey...if you're not into that, feel free to keep the chocolate chips separate and add them to the top, last.
Once mixture is uniform in texture, pour batter into a small glass baking dish (about 8x8), press to the sides and bottom, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set. Once bars have set, melt 1-2 ounces of chocolate and use a whisk or spoon to drizzle chocolate evenly over the bars. Let harden, about 10 minutes in a cool place, cut, and serve. Makes about 10 bars that save well in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

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