Healthier Monster Cookie Bars
Lower sugar, whole grain, and so easy to stir together in one bow!
Ingredients
- 1 large egg or flax "egg"
- 1/2 cup natural "runny" peanut butter
- 1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil or melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (or 2/3 cup coconut sugar)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour, all-purpose, or gluten-free flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup candy coated chocolates M&Ms or any chocolate candy bars, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8 or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment or grease well with oil spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the egg, peanut butter, oil, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Add the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until all of the ingredients are combined. You should have a thick and sticky dough.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and half of the chocolate candies.
- Spread the dough evenly in your prepared baking pan. Press the remaining candies into the top.
- Bake until golden brown around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Let the pan cool for at least 30 minutes then cut into bars (I usually do 16 small squares, but you can make them larger if you prefer.)
- Store bars at room temp for 3 days or in the fridge for a week.
Notes
To make a flax egg: mix 1 tbsp ground flax seed with 2 1/2 tbsp of water. Set aside for 10 minutes then use in the recipe.