Super Healthy Flapjacks (No sugar, No Dairy).. or perhaps we'll call them Granola Bars

Flapjacks sound like a healthy oat bar full of goodness but unfortunately most flapjacks are full of sugar, honey and butter so make for a very sweet, high calorie snack. A client of mine sent me this great recipe she found in the Irish Times last week (Thanks Anne!) and it is a truly healthy version of the flapjack, with no sugar or dairy added and it tastes really great. Be aware however, you can't compare this oat bar directly to the buttery, sugary flapjack and I think perhaps calling them "Granola Bars" might help avoid disappointment if you are expecting a super sugar rush when you bite into them. I think they're delicious and make a great snack for busy people on the go. They freeze great too so pack them up in small portions ready to grab in the morning!

• 250g pitted dates
• Pinch bicarbonate of soda
• 2-3 plums, stoned and chopped
• 120ml coconut
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 500g rolled oats
• 200g seeds (mix of sunflower, pumpkin) and nuts
• 2 bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Method Preheat an oven to 180 degrees. Put the dates in a saucepan, add the bicarbonate of soda and enough water to cover the dates and cook them until sticky (about 20 minutes). you’ll see green froth bubbling up, but just ignore it. Then add the plums, coconut , vanilla extract and mushy bananas, and blitz the lot in a blender until smooth. Next, take this sloppy mixture and mix it with the cinnamon, oats and seeds. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the mixture out on it, pressing it into the corners. Bake for 20-30 minutes, allow to cool in the tray, before slicing and and freezing.