Sugar free, almost healthy banana flapjacks

We've all been there: you come out of a yoga class and need a little pick-me-up, but all you can find is sugary, processed snacks, that don't quite fit with any post-yoga intention to be healthy! With this in mind, we have been searching around for alternatives and found this easy, yummy 'banana and date flapjacks' recipe on mumsnet. Whilst the original recipe is not exactly to our taste, with a little tweaking we have created what we believe to be the perfect post-yoga class (or any-time) snack! They are really easy to make and last a few days. You can go wild with the variations of dried fruit and nuts and tailor the recipe to your tastes. We even confess to reaching for these addictive, wholesome little numbers first thing in the morning, in place of a bowl of muesli. :) So, enjoy...

Ingredients

1 tsp of vanila essense

80 ml of ground nut oil - we love the nutty taste this gives the flapjacks. Use rapeseed oil if nuts aren't your thing.

180 gr of rolled oats

175 grams of dried fruits - try raisins, sultanas, dates, apricots (diced into small pieces). Try soaking for 30 mins in warm water if you want them to be a little more juicy

2 bananas sliced

Method

Switch on oven to 175 degrees or gas mark 5.

Mash the bananas in a large bowl. Alternatively blitz in a blender.

Add the dried fruit, oil to the banana and mix well

Now add the oats and vanilla essence and again mix well.

Relax for 5 minutes, perhaps enjoy a caffiene free tea whilst you allow the oats to absorb the oil

Brush a baking tray with oil and spoon the mixture in

Bake for around 20 - 25 minutes. We like our flapjacks to be a little gooey

Remove from oven and cut into squares whilst warm