Vanilla Bean Chia Energy Bars

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups rolled oats (gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/3 cup allulose or sugar-free maple syrup
• seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• pinch of salt

Method

1. 1

   Warm the almond butter and allulose together in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth, about 2 minutes.

2. 2

   Remove from heat and stir in vanilla bean seeds, salt, oats, and chia seeds until evenly combined.

3. 3

   Press the still-warm mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8x8 pan — pressing it in while warm is what lets the chia seeds' natural gel bind everything together smoothly as it cools; a cooled, stiffened mixture won't press together evenly.

4. 4

   Chill at least 1 hour until firm.

5. 5

   Slice into bars and store in the fridge.