Granola Bars
Granola Bars
Yield 10
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dates, packed
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup Peanut butter, natural, creamy + salted or almond butter
- 1 cup Roasted nuts and/or seeds, chopped - almonds, pecan, cashew, or pumpkin seeds
- 1.5 cups Rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Optional additions: chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, banana chips, vanilla, etc.
Instructions
- Spread the oats on a parchment-lined sheet tray and toast in the oven @ 350F/176C for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
- In a food processor, process the dates until it rolls themselves into a ball. Optional trick: soak the dates in hot water for 5 minutes + strain or microwave dates for 30 seconds before processing.
- Place oats, almonds, and dates in a large mixing bowl - set aside.
- Warm maple syrup or honey and nut butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Stir and pour over the oat mixture and then mix well.
- Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8-inch baking dish or another small parchment-lined pan so they lift out easily.
- Line the top with another sheet of parchment paper and press down firmly. This saves on mess + stickiness! You may use your hands or a pint glass works great to really pack the bars and hold them together.
- Covered with the parchment, let firm up in the fridge for one hour or freezer for 20 minutes.
- Cut into even bars.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a few days or much longer in the freezer.
