Breakfast? Dessert? You can go either way with these fruity oat squares.

Serves 9

1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup warm water
3 cups frozen sliced strawberries (or other berries)
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon pure vanilla bean powder (see note)
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:

Blend dates with water in a high-powered blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Place frozen strawberries and 1/2 cup of the blended dates in a medium pot, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently and mashing with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to break up large pieces. Add chia seeds and continue to cook and stir for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking pan (see note).

Combine mashed bananas and oats. Add the remaining blended dates, almonds, coconut, and cinnamon. Mix well. Pour 2/3 of the mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and spread the strawberry filling over the baked layer. Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top.

Return to oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until top crumble is slightly golden. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

Notes:
A teaspoon of alcohol-free vanilla extract can be substituted for the vanilla bean powder.

A 9×9 inch square pan works well for 9 servings.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories 202
Protein 4 g
Carbohydrates 37 g
Sugars 17 g
Total fat 5.9 g
Saturated fat 1.7 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 4 mg
Fiber 6.8 g
Beta-carotene 28 ug
Vitamin C 33 mg
Calcium 51 mg
Iron 4.6 mg
Folate 24 ug
Magnesium 46 mg
Potassium 369 mg
Zinc 0.5 mg
Selenium 3.1 ug

Republished from DrFuhrman.com