I like to make my own granola bars to keep on hand for snacking or for a quick breakfast when I am on the go. I find many commercial granola bars are too sweet or the healthy ones taste like cardboard. These granola bars are tasty and are made with only wholesome ingredients. They are not complicated to make and they freeze well so you can make a big batch and save them for a later date.
Granola Bars
makes one 9x12 tray
- 250g rolled oats
- 150g oat flour
- 110g slivered almonds
- pinch of salt
- 30g unsweetened shredded coconut
- 150g dates, coarsely chopped
- 80g almond butter
- 1 small ripe banana
- 60g coconut oil, melted
- 30g maple syrup
- 10g vanilla extract
You can make this granola bar gluten free by using gluten free oats. To make the oat flour, measure 150g oats and place in a food processor bowl. Process until the oats are a fine powder.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, rolled oats, coconut, salt and almonds. In the same food processor bowl, add the dates and blend until a paste forms.
Add in almond butter, banana, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Puree until smooth. These bars are not overly sweet.
Add the date and banana paste to the rolled oat mixture and stir until combined. The mixture will be stiff. These bars are not overly sweet. If you want them sweeter, you can always add more maple syrup at this stage. Mix well into the granola mixture. Dump the mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. This will make it easier to pop out the granola bars. Using a rubber spatula, smooth the top of the bars.
Bake the bars in a preheated 350F degree oven for 15 minutes or until the bars are set and the surface does not feel tacky to the touch. The bars are easier to cut once they have been chilled. Enjoy!