Chocolate PB Overnight Oats

Did you know you can HEAT overnight oats? Seriously. I haven't been thrilled with chilled overnight oats but 30 seconds in the microwave and they're SO good! I do like to use alternative milks but did these with regular and they were just divine. We all loved it. 

OATS-in a jar or mug

• 1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk (or sub other dairy-free milks, such as coconut, soy, or hemp or even just dairy milk)
• 3/4 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp natural salted peanut butter or almond butter (creamy or crunchy // or sub other nut or seed butter) I just used Winco creamy.
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub coconut sugar, organic brown sugar, or stevia to taste)
• 1/2 cup rolled oats 
• 1/2 TSBP cocoa powder

TOPPINGS optional

• Sliced banana, strawberries, or raspberries
• Flaxseed meal or additional chia seed
• Granola

Mix up all the oats and make sure they're submerged. I liked doing it in a mug. Placed plastic wrap overnight and heated in the morninging. 

via: https://minimalistbaker.com/peanut-butter-overnight-oats/ 

Healthier Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

These are so yummy. They don't usually survive the day if I make them in the morning. I can't seem to see if I've posted this before. Hope I haven't repeated. My nieces have some serious food allergies and at one point were allergic to nuts, soy, wheat and egg and these were one thing we found could be allergy friendly. Not only that they're delicious. And can totally be made with items that don't fit all those food allergies. 

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups gluten free oats (or not)
• 1/2 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder (or not)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 medium ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (gluten free, if desired)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (or sub melted coconut oil or butter)
• 1/4 cup honey (agave nectar or maple syrup if vegan)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
• For chocolate drizzle:
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
• I just sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top as they cool so I don't have to make a drizzle. 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. To make oat flour: Place oats into blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until oatmeal resembles flour. You may need to stop blender and stir oats a couple of times to ensure that all oats have been blended. 
3. Transfer oat flour medium bowl; whisk in baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside.
4. Place bananas, vanilla, applesauce, and honey into blender; blend 1-2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add to oat flour mixture and mix until just combined.
5. Gently fold in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly with rubber spatula. 
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Cool 10-15 minutes on wire rack.
7. Prepare drizzle by adding 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds; stir well to combine then drizzle over the top of bars. Cut bars into 16 squares and enjoy!

via: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/healthy-banana-bread-chocolate-chip-oat-breakfast-bars-vegan-gluten-free/?fbclid=IwAR1Qnje1UdAi58hIHL9FWQ3CKfBwbW4WSpuP4oyzWTuah9RdW82XhGOp7pQ