I feel like I'm always on the go, which doesn't necessarily lend itself to healthful eating habits. I've found that I absolutely must always have a snack in my bag in order to stay healthy and full of energy! Unfortunately, most of the granola bars available in the store are full of high fructose corn syrup and preservatives...and they're uber expensive. After trying countless recipes, I've finally found a homemade granola bar that I don't just like...I love! This portable yum is full of nutty goodness, satisfying crunch and a punch of sweetness from dried fruit and chocolate. It's full of protein and fiber and is satisfying enough to keep you going for hours!
Adapted from love & zest blog.
INGREDIENTS
1 C cashews, chopped
1/2 C almonds, chopped
1/2 C dried berries
1/2 C Grape Nuts cereal
1/4 C raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/8 t salt
1 T seeds (chia, hemp or ground flax)
1/4 C brown rice syrup
1 T natural almond or peanut butter
DIRECTIONS
Preheat over to 325 F. Line 8x8 or 11x7 baking dish with parchment paper.
Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Note: I use all raw, unsalted nuts and seeds. In a separate bowl, mix brown rice syrup and almond or peanut butter. Gently fold wet mixture in with dry mixture.
Transfer into prepared dish. Press down with a spatula to compact. This step is important as you don't want bars that fall apart!
Bake 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely on a wire wire. Then remove parchment and cut into bars. Wrap individual bars if you'd like, and store in an airtight container for 5 days or up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Feel free to use any nuts and dried fruit you like as well as a combination of any small seeds. I like to include a mix of whatever I have on hand. You can use honey in place of the brown rice syrup but your bars might not be as congealed.
