Maple Peanut Butter Pecan Oatmeal Bars

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups

rolled oats (I used Bob's Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats)

1 cup

finely ground oat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Oat Flour *)

1/2 tsp

baking soda

1 tbsp

coconut sugar

1/4 tsp

ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp

salt

flax egg (1 tablespoon flax seeds + 3 tablespoons water ** or use 1 large egg, room temperature)

1/2 cup

smooth peanut butter

1/3 cup

coconut oil (melted (measure when solid - it should be just about 1/2 cup after it has been melted) (or use melted butter))

2 tbsp

maple syrup

1/2 tsp

pure vanilla extract (pure maple extract would also work well)

1 1/3 cups

chopped pitted dates

2 tbsp

smooth peanut butter

2/3 cup

water

1/4 cup

chopped pecans

1 tbsp

rolled oats

whole pecans

melted peanut butter or chocolate (for drizzling)