Macadamia Oat Bars

by Christiane Matey
Easy Recipes, Healthy Recipes

Macadamia nuts are native to Australia and grown in Hawaii. They have a sweet, buttery flavor and numerous health benefits. They’re higher in fat than almonds, cashews and walnuts but don’t let that deter you. Those healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) come with extra protein and fiber plus nutrients important to a balanced diet such as calcium, iron and magnesium.

Research shows MUFA’s help lower the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndromes. Rest assured those healthy fats have also been shown to protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Just as important, eating tree nuts is shown to lower the risk factors for heart disease.

My Macadamia Oat Bars are a perfect grab-n-go breakfast. Stash them in a cooler for a delicious snack with lasting energy to stave off hunger any time of day.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups toasted oats
• 1 1/2 cups toasted macadamia nuts, ground
• 3 tablespoons ground flax
• 1 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/4 cup pitted dates, chopped using food processor
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup dried apples (I use @baresnacks apple chips)

Follow these easy directions for a healthy, low-sugar snack:

1. Toast oats in a pan on medium heat until slightly brown. Process the macadamia nuts in a food processor and toast in a pan until slightly brown.

2. In a large sauté pan on medium heat, add maple syrup, almond butter, and water and cook until pasty. Add the dates and stir until nicely incorporated.

3. Add the oats, flax and nuts. Mix well and remove from heat.

4. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and press the mixture into an even layer.

5. Top with dried apple pieces, pressing them into the mixture until they stick.

6. Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.

7. Cut into nine squares.

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