Truly Healthy Granola Bar

Cherry Almond Granola Bars

I love making granola bars.  They are perfect for a quick snack or even for breakfast on the days where I am late and rushing out the door (which is almost every day!).  By making your own granola  bars, you have control over exactly what goes into them.  You don't have to worry about extra oil, sugar, corn syrup or preservatives that keep granola bars on the shelves for 2 years...gross.  Anyway, this recipe can be modified so many different ways.  Sometimes I use peanut butter and Spanish peanuts instead of almonds.  This recipe, however, is my favorite flavor combination.  Tart, sweet cherries and salty, toasted almonds just seem to pair perfectly.  


The first step is to coarsely crush and toast the almonds.  I used a heavy pan to break up the almonds just a bit.  You want a good variety of sizes to give that great granola texture.  Next, put them on a foil-lined baking sheet and stick them in a 350 degree oven until you can smell them.  As soon as the almonds become fragrant, it means they are toasted perfectly.  Let them go any longer and they will burn!  Trust me, your nose will be able to tell.  This is such an important step because that toasted flavor adds another wonderful layer to these simple granola bars.

As my binder, I used all-natural almond butter and honey.  Most granola bars I make, I use peanut butter, but almond butter just makes them a little more interesting.  If you can't find almond butter, just use any nut butter you like.  

Make sure to heat up your almond butter in the microwave in 30 second intervals so that it pours and mixes easily.

Old fashioned oats are a necessity here.  Quick cooking oats have been chopped up into smaller pieces and instant will just turn to mush.  Using old fashioned oats will allow you to keep the texture that you want and they can stand up to the mixing and baking.

Sometimes I use a little more honey to make sure everything is moistened well.  If it isn't all coated, the bars will crumble.

Mmm...those toasted almonds are the best part.  That is, until we add the chocolate :).

The mixture will look pretty crumbly, but it will be fine after baking.  Make sure your 9x13 is lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray so that they release from the pan and can be cut into even squares. 

Press the mixture very firmly so that it is even.

Bake it until it is golden brown.  Don't be afraid to leave it in until it gets nice and brown.  This means the nuts and the oats are toasted and will have a more intense flavor.

Cherry Almond Granola Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 C almond butter

1/3 C honey

4 C old fashioned oats

1/2 C toasted almonds

1/3 C dried cherries

2 egg whites

1/2 t almond extract

1/3 C dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Crush the almonds with a rolling pin or large skillet.  Spread them evenly on a foil-lined baking sheet and toast about 10 minutes until they are fragrant.  

Reduce heat to 325 degrees.  

Heat almond butter in the microwave for 30 second intervals until it is pourable.  Measure oats into a bowl.  Add almond butter, honey, almonds, cherries and almond extract.  In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until foamy.  Fold them into the oat mixture.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Spray foild-lined 9x13 baking sheet with cooking spray.  Spread mixture out on baking sheet and press down firmly so the whole pan is in one even layer.  

Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and toasted.  Remove from the oven and let cool completely.  Remove from the pan and cut into 12 squares.  Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Enjoy your healthy and easy granola bars!