I have always been a big fan of granola bars. I like getting something a bit different with each bite. Also, I love the fact that they have good-for-you ingredients and are easy to eat on-the-go. This recipe is one of my favorites because I can switch up the mix-ins to suit my fancy or based on what’s in my pantry. They are delicious whether you are using dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or even chocolate chips.
2cupsrolled oats (use wheat/gluten-free, if needed)
1cupwhole wheat flour (use wheat/gluten-free if needed)
1/4cupbrown sugar
1/4cupoat flour(if you don't have oat flour, just put some a heaping ¼of rolled oats into a mini-prep or food processor and grind until it is very fine, almost like flour)
1/4cupflax meal(or use more oat flour)
3/4tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4tsp.salt
1/2cupdried cranberries, raisins, currants (or whatever other dried fruit you like)
1/2cupchopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans
1/2cuppure maple syrup or honey
1eggbeaten
1/2cupcoconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
2tsp.vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, or grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (oats, flour, brown sugar, oat flour, flax meal, cinnamon, salt, dried fruit, and nuts).
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients (syrup, beaten egg, oil, and vanilla). Mix well using your hands or a wooden spoon. Pour the mixture into the pan and pat it out evenly.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then cut into bars while still warm (if you wait to cut until they are completely cool, it will be incredibly difficult to cut). Store in a sealed container for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 281, Total Fat: 15g, 23%; Saturated Fat: 9g, 43%; Cholesterol: 13mg, 4%; Sodium: 58mg, 2%; Total Carbohydrate: 35g, 12%; Dietary Fiber: 4g, 15%; Sugar: 15g; Protein: 5gLike this recipe? Check out The Scramble's family-friendly meal plans to see just how simple getting dinner on the table can be!