Easy Baker: Oatmeal Bars

January 2024 update: 

Please note that many posts in this blog are a record of a person with multiple eating disorders who sought questionable care, was excited about dangerous lifestyle choices, and believed in achieving absolute health through eating (which is something that cannot be done and is often more detrimental to one's overall health).

I do not recommend following any posted advice or using the person I was in these posts as an example for anything related to food. If you're experiencing issues related to food and feel yourself in the grip of diet culture, I suggest seeking care from a counselor who focuses on eating disorders and, in the meantime, gently challenging preconceived notions of health and wellness through your media choices. A favorite of mine and a pillar of my treatment these days is the podcast Maintenance Phase.
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Original post:

Note: This recipe has been revised with excellent results.

As someone whose sane mind prefers to eat as few processed foods as possible but whose body can't tolerate a wide variety of healthy unprocessed foods, I naturally have trouble sometimes. How the heck can I eat a filling carb-and-protein meal on the go without eating nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, dates, soy, gluten, or dairy? I can't eat nuts or seeds or raw veggies--talk about painful--I hate dates, and I abstain from gluten and dairy by choice. There are a few protein bars that I can tolerate, but they're far too expensive.

So, in desperation, I found a basic recipe for homemade oatmeal snack bars and made it my own. These things have been sustaining me through three extremely demanding weeks. I've never liked oatmeal, but in this recipe it just works. And it's so mild for me that it's the digestive equivalent of taking a nap.

Just look at that beautiful arrangement.
I'm not playing favorites or anything, but that chocolate looks especially promising...

Ingredients (makes 9 servings):

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chocolate rice protein (any kind of protein powder here)
• 1-1/2 cups vanilla coconut milk (any kind of non-dairy milk here)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips/chunks 
• 1 banana
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/3 tsp salt
• (optional) nuts, seeds, dried fruit

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, use a masher or sturdy spoon to mash the banana with the coconut milk. Once this mixture is no longer chunky, mix in the applesauce and vanilla.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.





It's mixed well. I promise.

4. Line a glass baking dish with parchment paper, then pour the ingredient mixture in an even layer onto the paper. The thicker the layer, the longer the bars will need to cook.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes. The result shouldn't be completely mushy, nor should it be crispy. This is the "trial and error" part of baking.
6. Cut into as many bars as you want. 

What's that I see? Chocolate? Don't mind if I do.

Cut into nine sections, my recipe yields bars that are about 220 calories with 16 grams of protein--so it's a full meal without the need for a fridge or microwave. I individually wrap each portion, and they're ready to go!

Ready to take on the week.

Be advised: they last about a week max before getting too stale. Also, the flavor is pretty mild. In my humble, unbiased opinion, this is a great recipe to alter per your own whims to stay energized and healthy on a budget.