Homemade Granola Bars

Homemade Granola Bars

2 1/2 c rolled oats

1 1/4 c nuts and seeds*

3/4 c milled flax seed

1/2 c honey

1/4 c coconut sugar (The original recipe used stevia in the raw**)

4 tablespoons coconut oil

2 teaspoons pure vanilla

1 c unsweetened dried cranberries***

1/2 c unsweetened dried shredded coconut

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon sea or mountain salt

1. Preheat oven to 325. Combine oats, nuts/seeds, and flax into a large bowl. Once combined, spread on a large baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine honey, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and vanilla. Microwave 1 minute. Stir, Microwave another 30-60 seconds until melted.
3. In a large bowl, combine cranberries, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and salt.
4. After the oat mixture is finished toasting, combine it with the cranberry mixture.
5. Add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until all the ingredients are wet.
6. Using a lined baking sheet, spread the granola out evenly. Place another piece of parchment on top of the granola and press.
7. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to harden.
8. Using a pizza slicer, cut into bars.

Notes:

*I typically use a combo of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, hemp hearts, walnuts, chia seeds, sesame seeds, etc. Avoid added oils on your nuts/seeds. I’ve had luck at Trader Joe’s and Costco finding ‘clean’ nuts.

**Coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic index which means less of a blood sugar response. YAY!

***Finding unsweetened dried fruit is TOUGH! Trader Joe’s does have a few oil-free, sugar-free fruits. I’ve been using cacao nips instead and it’s amazing.

An adapted recipe from my friend Caron ❤️

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