Strawberry Coconut Oat Bars | Vegan

This is a paid collaboration with Coco Road.

I'm so sad that the end of summer is near, but I'm trying to squeeze in all of the last minute summer activities, food and everything else that screams sunshine before we reach autumn.

I've already noticed a slight pattern with my recipes.. there is a lotttt of chocolate and I think it's clear that my favourite flavour combination is chocolate and peanut butter. So, this weekend I decided to switch things up a little and make something slightly more refreshing. Strawberry and coconut oat bars!

These bars are refined sugar free (depending on the jam you have), healthy(ish), vegan and just so damn delicious. This has even become one of my most favourite recipes to date.

So if you fancy getting your bake on, but want something quick and simple then these are perfect!

- STRAWBERRY COCONUT OAT BARS - 

Makes: 9    Prep Time: 10 mins    Cook Time: 25 mins

You Will Need:

For the base:

- 3 cups oats
- 1/2 cup Coco Road extra virgin organic coconut oil
- 1/4 cup agave syrup
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the top layer:

- 1 cup oats
- 1/4 cup agave syrup
- 3/4 cup strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut

Method:

1. Pre heat the oven to 200C.

2. In a saucepan on low heat, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla and agave syrup until completely melted.

3. Once the coconut oil has melted, pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl with the oats. Stir until the oats are completely covered and are sticky.

4. Line a square 10 x 10 inch tin with parchment paper and pour in the oat mix. Use a fork or your hands to create an even layer, making sure that the edges are all the same thickness.

5. Place in the oven for 10 minutes to lightly bake the oats, so that the base isn't so crumbly.

6. Once it's been in for 10 minutes, allow to cool for 5 minutes before spreading a thick, even layer of strawberry jam on top. I sort of eyeballed this, but it was probably around 3/4 cup, but do as much or as little as you like.

7. In the large mixing bowl you were using before, mix 1 cup of oats with 1/4 cup agave syrup until well combined. Use your hands to sprinkle this all over the jam along with a 1/2 cup desiccated coconut. It doesn't matter if this part looks messy, as it's meant to be crumbly and uneven.

8. Place the oats back in the oven for 15 minutes until golden. Once cooked, allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing it into 9 even squares.

9. I would recommend scooping the bars off of the parchment paper with a spatular or something flat so that they don't crumble too much. Enjoy!

I absolutely love the combination of strawberry and coconut as it's so refreshing and delicious, and I absolutely loved baking with Coco Road coconut oil. I would definitely suggest checking them out!

What's your favourite sweet treat?

Love Always,

Shannon x