Energy bars - oats, dates and cashews

I love snacking. Each time I'm out shopping, I always pick up a few different bars (Nākd's my favourite) for in between meals and at work. These shopping trips can end up a bit expensive, as sometimes one bar is not enough. I've been making my own bars for a little while now and they have been pretty good, so I will share my recipe. Most store bought and homemade bars I have found have been raw - I've been baking them though as I love baked oats and their golden colour. 

Ingredients:

1 banana

1/4 cup honey 

1 cup jumbo oats

1/4 cup cashews
1/3 cup dried fruit - I used dates

Instructions: 

• Heat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray
• Mash banana with fork and crush cashews. I put nuts inside a little plastic bag and smash them with a rolling pin
• Soak dried fruits in warm water for just a few minutes
• Mix all of the ingredients together - oats, nuts, fruit, then add banana and honey
• Bake until golden brown (10 to 15 minutes)

There are a few options for forming the bars, the easiest I have found is to use a sushi mat or a cookie cutter. I used a little measuring cup. I take a 1/3 cup and press the mixture into it halfway, before turning it upside down and shaking it onto the tray. The moist oat mix sticks together easily.

They are healthy, tasty and are good for a bit of energy!