Description
When you make your own healthy granola bars you get to know exactly what’s in them. These are packed with wholesome rolled oats, nuts, dates, tart cherries, and just about a teaspoon of honey per serving for sweetness. They’re a great treat to make and keep in the freezer—just pop them out to defrost quickly on the counter when you want them.
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup raw whole almonds, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup raw pepitas
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates (6 oz.), fresh or dried
- 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried tart cherries, chopped or dried cranberries
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square metal baking pan with parchment, letting the edges drape over the sides.
- Spread oats, almonds, and pepitas on a large-rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and toasted, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, blend dates in a food processor until broken up into smaller pieces, about 1 minute. Add peanut butter, honey, and vanilla and process, scraping as needed, until just combined with the dates, about 10 seconds. Scrape into a large bowl.
- When the toasted oat mixture has cooled enough to touch comfortably, add it along with cherries, cinnamon, and salt to the date mixture in the large bowl; mix with a spatula until combined. If necessary, use your hands to make sure it is combined.
- Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan and place in the freezer until firm, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the freezer and lift the block of granola bars from the pan and place on a cutting board. Cut the bars in half. Then cut into 1 ½ inch bars, 5 per side.
Notes
Tips for Success: When you press the bar mixture into the pan make sure to press down firmly. Use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to press down. Freezing before cutting helps the bars hold together when you cut them. Alternatively, wrap them tightly and refrigerate overnight before cutting.
Make Ahead: Toast the oat and nut mixture and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days before making the bars.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to one month.
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 8 g