Who doesn't love granola bars? They are the epitome of every child's go-to afternoon snack. I don't think I have ever been to a house where there has not been at least one box of Quaker chocolate chip chewy bars hiding in the pantry. Ever.
That being said, I think chewy bars are a bit boring. First of all they are small and rather unsatisfying,leading you to reach in and grab another until the whole box is gone. Talk about a disapointment. With this recipe I wanted to save you all from this unfortunate situation by creating a hearty granola bar that packs in both flavor, and nutrition. With superfood ingredients such as chia seeds, almonds, oats, and pumpkin seeds, these bars are loaded with protein and healthy fats to keep you full and satisfied. These bars will also save you a few pennies in your piggy bank. How's that for an added bonus?
These bars also freeze well and the flavor combinations are adjustable to suit your preferences. Don't like strawberries? Add freeze dried peaches instead. Alergic to nuts? Use sunbutter and sunflower/pepita seeds in place of the almonds. Easy Peasy, lemon squeezy. Now go to your kitchen and get cooking. Actually you don't even have to cook these bars. Let me rephrase that; Go to your kitchen and get assembling.!
Chewy Strawberry Granola Bars
Ingredients:
1 cup oats (I've tried both old fashioned and quick, both work!)
1/4 cup brown rice crispies
1/4 cup love grown foods original cereal*
1/2 cup almonds*
1 tbsp pepita seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 tbsp flax seed
1 cup sticky medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup honey
1/4 almond butter
2 tbsp Qi'a cereal or chia seeds
1 package of freeze dried strawberries (any kind of dried fruit would also work)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Toast oats through flax seeds on a baking tray for 5-7 minutes or until slightly browned and fragrant. This step is optional but results in a nice nutty flavor.
2.Place dates in the food processor and blend until a dough like shape forms.
3. Combine toasted cereal/nut/oat mixture with the Qi'a cereal or chia seeds and the freeze dried strawberries. Add in the date mixture and use your hands to incorporate the dates into the cereal. Be careful the mixture will be hot.
4. Heat the honey and the almond butter in a small pot over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once mixture looks smooth and melty, pour over top of cereal mixture and mix well.
5. Press mixture down into an 8x8 or 9x11 inch, parchment lined pan. Wet your hands so the mixture doesn't stick when you are pressing it down.
6. Place in the freezer for about an hour and slice into bars
Bars can be kept at room temperature for about a week. For prolonged shelf-life store in fridge or freezer. I actually prefer mine chilled.
*These ingredients can be interchangeable to suit your preferences.
Let me know if you make these on instagram-> @thedancingfoodie27
Enjoy
♥Maddie
Ingredients:
1 cup oats (I've tried both old fashioned and quick, both work!)
1/4 cup brown rice crispies
1/4 cup love grown foods original cereal*
1/2 cup almonds*
1 tbsp pepita seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 tbsp flax seed
1 cup sticky medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup honey
1/4 almond butter
2 tbsp Qi'a cereal or chia seeds
1 package of freeze dried strawberries (any kind of dried fruit would also work)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Toast oats through flax seeds on a baking tray for 5-7 minutes or until slightly browned and fragrant. This step is optional but results in a nice nutty flavor.
2.Place dates in the food processor and blend until a dough like shape forms.
3. Combine toasted cereal/nut/oat mixture with the Qi'a cereal or chia seeds and the freeze dried strawberries. Add in the date mixture and use your hands to incorporate the dates into the cereal. Be careful the mixture will be hot.
4. Heat the honey and the almond butter in a small pot over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once mixture looks smooth and melty, pour over top of cereal mixture and mix well.
5. Press mixture down into an 8x8 or 9x11 inch, parchment lined pan. Wet your hands so the mixture doesn't stick when you are pressing it down.
6. Place in the freezer for about an hour and slice into bars
Bars can be kept at room temperature for about a week. For prolonged shelf-life store in fridge or freezer. I actually prefer mine chilled.
*These ingredients can be interchangeable to suit your preferences.
Let me know if you make these on instagram-> @thedancingfoodie27
Enjoy
♥Maddie