Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats (150g)
  • ½ cup mixed nuts (70g), roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (35g)
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds (35g)
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips (60g), preferably 70% cacao
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (60ml)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened almond butter (60ml)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Additional dark chocolate chips for topping
  • Whole nuts or seeds for garnishing

Instructions:

  1. Line the baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.
  2. In a large bowl, mix rolled oats, chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and salt.
  3. In a small saucepan, gently heat almond butter and maple syrup together until combined; stir in vanilla extract.
  4. Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Fold in dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
  6. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan, pressing down firmly to ensure it holds together while baking.
  7. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips and nuts on top for added texture.
  8. Bake the nut bars in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
  9. Allow the bars to cool entirely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into squares or bars.