GLUTEN-FREE GRANOLA BARS
THESE DELICIOUS GLUTEN-FREE GRANOLA BARS ARE A PERFECT SNACK FOR ANY TIME OF DAY. MADE WITH NUTRIENT-DENSE INGREDIENTS, THEY TAKE JUST 25 MINUTES TO PREPARE AND ARE GREAT FOR ON-THE-GO ENERGY. EACH BAR IS PACKED WITH FLAVOR AND GOODNESS!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 CUPS GLUTEN-FREE OATS
- 1/2 CUP ALMOND BUTTER OR PEANUT BUTTER
- 1/4 CUP HONEY OR MAPLE SYRUP
- 1/2 CUP CHOPPED NUTS (ALMONDS, WALNUTS, OR PECANS)
- 1/2 CUP DRIED FRUIT (RAISINS, CRANBERRIES, OR CHOPPED DATES)
- 1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT
- 1/2 TEASPOON CINNAMON
- 1/4 TEASPOON SALT
INSTRUCTIONS
- PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 350°F (175°C) AND LINE A 9x9-INCH BAKING PAN WITH PARCHMENT PAPER, LEAVING SOME OVERHANG FOR EASY REMOVAL.
- IN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN OVER LOW HEAT, COMBINE THE ALMOND BUTTER (OR PEANUT BUTTER) AND HONEY (OR MAPLE SYRUP). STIR UNTIL MELTED AND SMOOTH. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND STIR IN THE VANILLA EXTRACT, CINNAMON, AND SALT.
- IN A LARGE BOWL, MIX TOGETHER THE GLUTEN-FREE OATS, CHOPPED NUTS, AND DRIED FRUIT. POUR THE WARM ALMOND BUTTER MIXTURE OVER THE OAT MIXTURE AND STIR UNTIL EVERYTHING IS WELL COMBINED.
- TRANSFER THE MIXTURE TO THE PREPARED BAKING PAN AND PRESS DOWN FIRMLY WITH A SPATULA OR YOUR HANDS TO CREATE AN EVEN LAYER.
- BAKE IN THE PREHEATED OVEN FOR 15-20 MINUTES OR UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN AROUND THE EDGES. REMOVE FROM THE OVEN AND LET COOL COMPLETELY IN THE PAN.
- ONCE COOLED, USE THE OVERHANGING PARCHMENT PAPER TO LIFT THE GRANOLA BARS OUT OF THE PAN. CUT INTO BARS OR SQUARES AS DESIRED.
- STORE THE GRANOLA BARS IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER AT ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR UP TO ONE WEEK OR IN THE FREEZER FOR LONGER STORAGE. ENJOY AS A HEALTHY SNACK OR BREAKFAST ON THE GO!