A few years ago, I shared this recipe for oatmeal bars, and I am giving the recipe an upgrade with some changes I have made to it - one being that I add chocolate chips to make these a bit of a sweet treat. And also because when I add chocolate to anything, my kids are more likely to eat it. #REALLIFE

These make soft squares, similar to a muffin! We ate these all within 24 hours of making them recently - sign of a good recipe!

Oatmeal Squares

• 1 1/4 cup quick cooking oats

• 3/4 cup oat flour (I blend oats in food processor or blender until fine)

• 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 eggs, slightly beaten

• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup

• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted

• 1/3 cup raisins

• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Make the oat flour by placing 3/4 cup oats in a food processor and processing until ground into a flour. (You can also buy oat flour at the store in the baking/flour section.)

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, oats and flaxseed. Add in the baking soda, salt, cinnamon and stir to combine. Add in the eggs, vanilla, honey/maple syrup and coconut oil and stir until completely combined. Stir in raisins and chocolate chips.

4. Pour batter into a 9x5 or 10x5 inch bread pan lined with parchment paper. Or sprayed with non-stick spray.

5. Bake for 18 minutes. Takeout and let cool. Lift out parchment to remove bars or turn upside down, and place on cutting board and cut into squares. Store in airtight container in fridge for up to a week.