Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons flax meal
- 5 tablespoons warm water
- Coconut oil or cooking spray for greasing
- 1/2 cup cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 2/3 cup very ripe banana 1 very large banana or 167 grams, mashed
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal gluten-free, if needed
- 2/3 cup oat flour 73 grams, gluten-free, if needed
- 1/3 cup plant-based protein powder
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup dried blueberries
- 1/4 cup raw cacao nibs
- 1/4 cup toasted cashews 40 grams, finely chopped
Instructions
- Mix the flax meal and warm water in a small bowl. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Grease a 7-quart slow cooker with coconut oil or cooking spray. Line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides for easy removal. For a precise fit, trace the slow cooker's base on parchment paper, and cut it a few inches larger to leave enough overhang.
- In a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl, combine the cashew butter and agave. Microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until softened. Beat with an electric hand mixer until smooth.
- To the bowl, add the mashed banana, coconut sugar, almond milk, vanilla extract, and chilled flax mixture. Beat until the mixture is smooth and runny.
- Add the oatmeal, oat flour, protein powder, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Gently fold in the dried blueberries, cacao nibs, and chopped cashews until evenly distributed. Note: The batter will be thick.
- Spoon the thick batter into the prepared slow cooker and spread it evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. The bars are done when the sides are browned, the top is set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the slow cooker and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before slicing.
