Granola Bars
There are so many granola bar options on the market today that it can be a bit overwhelming! Some are better than others as far as the amount of sugar or the number of ingredients but nothing is better than when you control the ingredients yourself. You can choose organic/non-GMO ingredients and create a healthier product that also tastes great! Adults and kids alike enjoy this granola bar. It is a perfect post-workout snack, lunch box filler (make sure your child doesn't have anyone allergic to nuts in their class of course) or on the run meal. I adapted this recipe from the minimalist baker website and have had great results. My suggestion would be to make these, freeze them for 10-15 minutes so they harden, pull them out and cut them. Then wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer. They are quite good straight from the freezer but also do nicely if they have defrosted. Make a batch and enjoy!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup raw nuts of any variety, roughly chopped
1 heaping cup of pitted dates
2 tbsp each of chia seeds, sunflower seeds (roasted or raw), flax seeds (ground or whole) and hemp seeds
1/8 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp nut butter (unsalted and unsweetened)
Instructions
Toast oats and nuts in a 350 degree oven for 13-15 minutes
Process dates in a food processor about a minute. It will likely form a ball.
Place oats, nuts, dates and seeds in a bowl.
Microwave nut butter and honey in a bowl for 20-30 seconds. Mix them together then pour over the other ingredients.
Combine all ingredients first with a spoon and then with your hands thoroughly mixing the ingredients to form a dough-like consistency.
Transfer the mixture to an 8X8 pan lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Press the mixture down firmly to consolidate the bars.
Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Remove and cut into 10 equal sized bars.
