Crunchy or chewy: Which side of the granola bar debate are you on? Whether crumbly with a nicely textured crunch or soft and moist, a good granola bar is both filling and satisfying. In just a few bites, a good granola bar can offer a surprisingly significant array of nutrients while fueling you for the morning ahead. And we’ve got a recipe that’s perfect for breakfast and midday snacking: Granola bars made with oats and dried fruit.
Our Buttery Oat & Dried Fruit Granola Bars are loaded with good-for-you ingredients – hearty rolled oats that deliver fiber, manganese and magnesium, plus an array of chopped dried fruits that includes naturally sweet dates, tart apricots and sweet-yet-sour cranberries. And, with the addition of sesame and sunflower seeds, you’ll get an extra boost for your health. Enjoying seeds like these can add a little more antioxidants, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins E and B into your diet.
You might be surprised to learn that making your own granola bars is actually pretty easy, too. Quickly toast the oats and coconut in a skillet and then combine all the ingredients with a sweet, buttery syrup before pressing into a pan and baking. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a batch of bars ready to enjoy.
Need to simplify your to-do list during the week? You can save even more time and make them on the weekend. Then, you’ll be prepared for an even smoother week and have a handy to-go breakfast ready when you’re headed out the door.
Buttery Oat & Dried Fruit Granola Bars
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped pitted dates
- ½ cup chopped dried unsweetened apricots
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ½ cup raw sesame seeds
- ⅔ cup organic unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup raw honey
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with parchment paper.
- In a large skillet on medium, toast oats and coconut until golden, stirring, about 4 minutes. Transfer oats and coconut to a large bowl. Stir in dates, apricots and cranberries, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter on medium-low. Add sugar and honey; bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add vanilla to saucepan and stir.
- Pour butter mixture into dry ingredients; stir to coat. Pour granola into dish and flatten with a spoon. Bake for 15 minutes, until light golden. Let cool then slice into 20 bars.
NOTE: If following our Meal Plan, keep covered in an airtight container. This recipe makes more bars than you’ll need in the plan; freeze extras for longer storage.
- Serving Size 2 bars
- Calories 471
- Carbohydrate Content 61 g
- Cholesterol Content 33 mg
- Fat Content 24 g
- Fiber Content 6 g
- Protein Content 7 g
- Saturated Fat Content 11 g
- Sodium Content 15 mg
- Sugar Content 37 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 7 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 4 g
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