This recipe for chewy oat zucchini granola bars is one of my answers for a healthy lunchbox treat. Every time I pick up a box of granola bars in the store and read the ingredients, 99% of the time I put it back. There are very few clean organic options that do not include seed oils or high amounts of sugar. My solution to that usually is the same as everything else, I make them myself. These Chewy Chocolate Chip Zucchini Granola Bars are a new recipe I've made this season and they seem to be a hit. Plus the added bonus is it uses up my extra large zucchinis from the garden that are only good for baking. It's a great opportunity to get in some hidden vegetables that kids don't even notice.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Zucchini Granola Bar Recipe

Ingredients

1.5 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup organic oats
1 cup namaste organic gluten free flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 egg
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 scoop perfect collagen powder (optional for extra protein)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350.
Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper
Place zucchini in a food processor and process until fine. Pour into a metal sieve over a bowl to let moisture drip out while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, vanilla, sea salt, egg, oil, and walnuts. (it will look dry and crumbly)
Add the zucchini and mix thoroughly until it looks more like a batter.
Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips.
Pour batter into the prepared baking dish and gently spread it out so it is even.
Bake for 30 minutes,
Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, gently lift the parchment paper from the pan and place on a cutting board. Slice into 9 bars. Store in the refrigerator.