Toddler bars

Soft oaty bars for toddlers with no added nonsense

These bars are free from added sugar, even free from fruit juice concentrate, sweetened only with whole foods. The ingredients are pure and honest, and organic of course, making it suitable for little people. This is my sincere version of Goodies Organic Carrot Cake Soft Oaty Bars.

You will need (makes 10 bars):
3 decent sized carrots
3 big enough juicy apples
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tbsp desiccated coconut (optional)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1.5 cups porridge oats
0.5 cups small currants (Greek Vostizza currants)

Soak the currants for 10-15 mins. Peel the carrots and the apples. In a big bowl grate the carrots (1 on large holes, 2 on small holes), and grate the apples (2 on large holes, 1 on small holes). Add the lemon juice (just a squeeze), the oats, desiccated coconut, and cinnamon, finally stir in the drained currants and the oil. Mix all together, cover with lid or foil and let it rest for 20 mins.

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Line a 20 cm square baking tin or pyrex with baking paper. Scoop the mixture into the baking tin and squash down. Bake for 25-30 mins. Remove from the oven, leave to cool for 5 minutes, then turn out on to a chopping board, peel off the baking paper and let it cool completely, then cut into rectangles. Enjoy!

These soft oaty toddler bars are delicious in a packed lunch or as a grab-and-go snack (wrap them individually in baking paper).

Tips: You can use raisins, sultanas, chopped dates or figs, anything you fancy, even nuts (just chop them finely). You can use gluten-free oats to make these bars not just vegan but gluten-free too.