Healthy Lemon Chia Oat Bars

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 2/3 tablespoons agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 lemon, zested

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray miniature loaf pans with cooking spray.

Mix oats and salt together in a bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over oats and stir until oats are evenly moistened.

Stir 1/4 cup water and chia seeds together in a bowl until seeds start to gelatinize, 2 to 3 minutes.

Stir honey, canola oil, agave nectar, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest into oat mixture. Stir chia seed mixture into oat mixture. Beat oat-chia seed mixture using an electric mixer on low until batter is well combined. Spread batter into the prepared loaf pans, pressing with a spatula to evenly distribute.

Bake in the preheated oven until sides are slightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack, 3 to 5 minutes; cut into slices.