Another peanut butter recipe on here… #sorrynotsorry.
I’ve been going through a really hardcore peanut butter phase since I started exercising more. Even to the point of branching out into almond butter, and I’d be having a go at making me own if I owned a half decent food processor. If I’m heading out on a run I try and have a little snack before hand as otherwise I’m quite shaky afterwards, same goes for other cardio workouts. My current favorite is a ricecake thinly spread with nut butter, topped with half a sliced banana. It might not be the healthiest thing around but it keeps me going and it’s got to be better than a packet of biscuits, right?! This obsession coupled with a crazzzyyyy craving for flapjacks last week meant I took advantage of an unexpected day to myself and got baking.
The issue with unexpected baking is a lack of ingredients. No butter, and only a small amount of sugar (reserved for tea drinking, thank you very much!). In the end I threw what I could find together and I’m actually really pleased with the end result. Rich, chewy, slightly crumby, with a hint of nut. I’d like the peanut flavor to be a little more obvious, but they are damn good flapjacks. The drizzle of chocolate isn’t totally necessary, but it only adds roughly 15 calories per slice and makes them feel like so much of a treat.
I’ve worked out these are roughly 175 calories each if cut into 12 (I fancied some bigger squares!), but I’m not sure MyFitnessPal is being totally reliable at the moment. Even so, with no butter and less refined sugars (I’m not totally sure on how honey is thought of!) these feel so much better for you than normal versions. I find they keep me fuller for longer too, and don’t give me a huge sugar high. And, you know, they’re yummy.
Ingredients
- 100g of honey
- 4 tbsp of coconut oil
- 60-75g of peanut butter (I found 60g wasn’t quite enough for my tastes)
- 180g oats
- 1 pinch each of salt and cinnamon
- 3 squares of dark chocolate
Note: I’ve been trialling Sainsbury’s basics range recently. The honey, peanut butter and dark chocolate are all from the range, and aren’t too bad. Sure the peanut butter isn’t the best (and it contains added sugar, oils and salt) but for the price it is definitely better than expected. The chocolate is the best of the bunch, and I would definitely buy it over more expensive brands.
So, a simple recipe this. Throw the honey, coconut oil, and p-butter into a saucepan and heat over a low heat, stirring every now and then. When ready the mix will be smooth and silky, ignoring the peanuts if using a crunchy spread.
Put the oats into a big bowl with the salt and cinnamon and stir to combine.
Add the melted mix to the oats and mix well to really combine. Tip into a lined tray (around 20cm square), and press down well with the back of a spoon – this step is really important or the flapjacks will crumble everywhere. Back at 150C for 20-25 mins.
Score lightly with a knife whilst still warm, then cool completely. Melt the chocolate and drizzle over, let set, then fully slice.
I found that these were perfect with a cup of tea, as they weren’t too sweet.
I’ve really gotten into trying to make some healthier bakes recently…what are your favorite treats and how do you make them healthier?
