Sweet Potato Oat Bars

Who doesn't love sweet potatoes?!! I LOVE me some sweet potatoes and sometimes switching it up and having it for breakfast or as a snack is great... because eating it just like aregular baked sweet potato can get boring.

Some FUN FACTS about Sweet Potatoes:

- High in Beta Carotene and vitamins E and C, also has other nutrients such as potassium, iron and vitamin B-6

- Good source of fiber if you eat the skin with it

- These are fat-free and cholesterol free!

- Helps to prevent heart disease and cancer, bolsters the immune system and even slows aging by promoting good vision and healthy skin. 

- Have been recently reclassified as an "anti diabetic" food.

- They are anti-inflammatory and can protect against emphysema

- Is considered a Superfood

AND I LOVE finding recipes in which you can make a bunch of it and take it to go so that you have some different options during the week. I'm not a mom but I know lots of busy moms would be able to understand!!

SWEET POTATO OAT BARS

Makes 24 Bars, 2" x 2"

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 80 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

5 Sweet Potatoes, washed and trimmed of fibers (try getting same size potatoes)

4 Cups oats

3/4 Cup Almond Milk with 1 TBSP Lemon Juice

1/4 Cup ground flaxseed

1/2 Cup All Natural Pure Maple Syrup

2 TBSP Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 TBSP Coconut Butter

1/2 Cupe Dried Fruits (your choice.... raisins, dates, cherries, blueberries...etc), Chopped

1/2 Cup unsalted nuts (your choice.. almonds, walnuts, pecans.. etc), chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1) Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare 9" x 13" baking dish by coating lightly with olive oil

2) Prick sweet potatoes all over. Place in oven and bake until tender. Remove from oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, remove potato peels and place flesh in large mixing bowl. Leave oven on and set heat to 400ºF.

3) Add all remaining ingredients to sweet potato mixture. Mix well.

4) Press onto prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden on top.

5) Remove from heat and let cool. Cut into squares.

Nutritional Facts per Serving:

Calories: 189

Calories from Fat: 43

Protein: 6g

Carbs: 31g

Total Fat: 5.5g

Sat Fat: 1g

Trans Fat: 0g

Fiber: 4g

Sodium: 20mg

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sugar: 8g

Recipe Courtesy from Tosca Reno, Eat Clean Diet Recharged Book pg 206