Homemade Granola Bars
Back to school usually involves a rush in the morning to get everyone up and out, a rush in the evening to get dinner on the table and kids to their respective sports and activities. By the time it's all said and done, making lunch is the last thing on your mind, and making a healthy lunch can sometimes seem near impossible.
Since we are right back into the swing of things with school starting and activites taking up nights, we thought an easy, homemade and healthy snack was just what the doctor ordered. These granola bars are great for the kids, mom, dad or any guests you have over. They take under 30 minutes, and are sweet, tasty and chewy, just like your favs!
Homemade Granola Bars
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup packed dates, pitted (I bought mine chopped already from Bulk Barn)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (You can use honey, agave nector or any sweetener of your choice)
- 1/4 cup peanut butter of your choice (You could substitute any nut butter)
- 3/4 cup roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten free for GF eaters)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (you can add chocolate, other nuts or other dried fruit too.)
DIRECTIONS
- Process your dates in a food processor or blender into smaller pieces. I purchased mine pre-chopped at Bulk Barn. Soak your dates in water for 10 minutes to maintain sticky consistency. I also mushed them up with my hands, this made my second batch stay together better!
- Chop almonds into bite size pieces. How diced they are depends on your preference.
- In a small saucepan melt maple syrup/sweetner and peanut butter together until blended.
- Mix oats, almonds, dates and cranberries in a bowl. Add Peanut Butter/Maple Syrup Mixture. Stir well.
- Line a 8×8 pan with parchment or wax paper to make it easy to life the bars out.
- Put in refridgerator or freezer for 30 minutes or until they do not fall apart when you eat them!
- ENJOY!