Hello all! This is Alex from Spoonful of Sugar Free. Are you a fan of 7 Layer Bars or Magic Bars, but aren't a fan of the high calories, fat, and sugar? Here is healthy 7-Layer Bar that can be served to any sugar-lover!

Regular 7-Layer Bar:                                                       My Healthy 7-Layer Bar:

1. Graham Cracker crust                                                 1. Oatmeal Crust

2. Chopped walnuts                                                         2. Chopped Walnuts or Pecans

3. Chocolate chips                                                            3. Unsweetened Chocolate Chunks

4. White Chocolate chips                                                4.  Dried Fruit

5. Butterscotch chips                                                       5. Unsweetened Carob Chips

6. Sweetened Shredded Coconut                                   6. Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

7. Sweetened condensed milk                                       7. Coconut milk

Healthy 7-Layer Bars

~These 7-Layer bars (or Magic Bars) are gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and, of course, sugar-free!

Makes 18 Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup oat flour (blend oats in blender until smooth)
• 1/2 cup chia gel (mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 1/2 cup water and let sit for 20 minutes, or until they “puff up”)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup chopped unsweetened chocolate (I used Baker's bars)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened carob chips
• 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit (like dates, apricots, raisins, or cherries. Optional. They taste fine without the fruit, too!)
• 1 (14 oz) can of coconut milk

Preheat oven to 375*. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and line with parchment paper or foil to help lift the bars out of the pan.

Mix the oats, oat flour, and chia gel together and spread on bottom of pan. Then sprinkle the walnuts in a layer, chocolate chunks, carob chips, fruit (if using), and coconut shavings on top. Pour the coconut milk evenly over the dish.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the coconut is golden brown. Let the bars cool at room temperature for 2 hours (or in the fridge for less). If you try to cut the bars before they cool, they will crumble. Once they are done cooling, cut the bars and serve to hungry people 

Health Benefits:

• Carob: Unlike chocolate, carob contains no caffeine and it contains a number of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, B2, B3, and D. It contains a good dose of Pectin that helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
• Chocolate: Click HERE for the benefits of Chocolate.
• Coconut: Coconut is widely misunderstood because of it's high fat content; however, coconut's saturated fat is made up of medium-chain fatty acids. These medium-chains are easy to absorb and digest, and are converted quickly into energy. Coconut is also a great source of dietary fiber with a whopping 5 grams per oz.!
• Oats: Click HERE for the benefits of Oats.