CHEWY APRICOT & ALMOND ENERGY BARS

These oat-filled, dairy-free energy bars are great for carrying with you for a healthy midmorning snack.

MAKES: 15     PREP: 25 MINS, PLUS COOLING     COOK: 30 MINA

½ cup coconut oil

⅓ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

¼ cup almond butter, or other nut butter

1 crisp, sweet apple, cored and coarsely grated

1⅔ cups rolled oats

⅓ cup brown rice flour

½ cup unblanched almonds, coarsely chopped

⅓ cup sunflower seeds

1½ cups dried apricots, diced

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square shallow cake pan with nonstick parchment paper.

2. Heat the oil and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat until the oil has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond butter until melted.

3. Add the apple, oats, flour, almonds, and sunflower seeds, and mix together well.

4. Spoon two-thirds of the mixture into the prepared pan and press down firmly. Sprinkle with the apricots and press firmly into the bottom layer, then dot the remaining oat mixture over the top in a thin layer so that some of the apricots are still visible.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan until almost cold, then cut into 15 small rectangles. Let cool completely, then lift the bars out of the pan, using the paper. Separate the bars and pack into a plastic container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

per bar: 235 cal / 14g fat / 7.2g sat fat / 26.6g carbs / 14.6g sugars / trace salt / 3.5g fiber / 4.2g protein

NO WHEAT

These tasty bars are wheat-free, but do check the oats carefully. Some brands may be contaminated with other wheat or gluten cereals during harvesting and milling.