By Casa de Suna
Published Mar 19
One of our favorite on-the-go snacks, granola bars are one of the easiest ways to fuel yourself throughout long days – but the pre-packaged ones aren’t the healthiest.
Luckily, our homemade version is very simple to throw together, and the combination of toasted oats (pro tip: don’t skip this step!), dried cherries and apricots makes for a flavorful, nutrient-packed snack.
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How to Make It
Difficulty: Easy
Overall Time: 1 hr 40 min
Prep Time: 40 min + 1 hr cooling time
Serves: 24 bars
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ½ cups large flake rolled oats
- 1 cup puffed brown rice
- ½ cup finely chopped roasted, salted almonds
- ¼ cup finely chopped dried cherries
- ¼ cup finely chopped dried apricots
- 2 tbsp shelled hemp seeds
- 1 tbsp flax seeds
- ½ cup raw honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup smooth natural almond butter
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Arrange rack in center of oven. Preheat to 350°F. Butter a 9-in square cake pan. Line with parchment, overhanging edges on two opposite sides.
- Transfer oat flakes to a baking sheet, shaking pan to evenly distribute. Bake in center of the oven until well toasted, approximately 14 to 16 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
- Combine oats with puffed rice, almonds, cherries, apricots, hemp, and flax seeds in a large bowl, working with your fingertips until ingredients are evenly distributed. Then, set aside.
- Combine honey with oil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often, until mixture is fully melted. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and immediately whisk in almond butter until smooth. Pour over oat mixture, stirring until fully combined.
- Scrape mixture over bottom of prepared pan to evenly distribute. Then using the bottom of a flat measuring cup, press firmly into an even layer. Sprinkle with salt, if using. Let it stand until set, about 1 hour.
- Lift bars out of pan using parchment edges. Using a sharp knife, cut crosswise into six rows, then lengthwise into four rows to make 24 bars.
How to Store It
Bars will keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
