These Cherry Oat Bars feature a crumbly oat crust with a sweet cherry filling, topped with a delicious streusel-like topping. Perfect for dessert or a snack, these bars are both vegan and gluten-free, offering a satisfying treat that's easy to make and hard to resist.
Ingredients
Crust and Topping:
- 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cherry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries pitted and chopped
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the Crust and Topping: In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined and crumbly.
- Press about 2/3 of the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Reserve the remaining mixture for the topping.
- Make the Cherry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped cherries, coconut sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cherries release their juices and start to break down, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
- Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture over the cherry filling, pressing down lightly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into squares or bars.
- Store: Store the cherry oat bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
Enjoy these delicious and nutritious Cherry Oat Bars, perfect for any time of day!
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