Homemade Granola Bars
Servings: 10 bars
- ½ cup (150 grams) dates pitted
- 1 cup (150 grams) peanut butter or almond butter, or 50% peanut and 50% almond butter
- 1 orange zest grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (110 grams) rolled oats
- 1 cup (35 grams) puffed rice
- ¼ cup (45 grams) dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia, flax or a mix)
- Line a 8x8 inch baking pan with baking paper.Blend the ½ cup dates (pitted) until you have a smooth date paste. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot, almost boiling water for 10 minutes, then blend them with 1 or 2 tablespoons of the soaking water.Tip: I like to make a jar of date paste ahead of time and keep it on hand. It will keep for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
- In a large bowl, add the date paste, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 orange zest (the grated zest) and ½ teaspoon salt.Mix with a spatula until all ingredients are well incorporated.Add the 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup puffed rice, ¼ cup dark chocolate chips and 2 tablespoon mixed seeds.Mix with a spatula, gently, rubbing the dry ingredients into the nut butter paste. Do this until the ingredients come together.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and press firmly with a spatula. Place a second sheet of parchment paper on top of the dough and press down firmly with your hands. The dough should be pressed firmly into the baking dish.
- Cool for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator or at least 30 minutes in the freezer. Then take out, cut into bars and store in the freezer or refrigerator.
STORAGE:
- Fridge: Store the healthy granola bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for weeks.
- Freezer: For up to 2 -3 months.
- Thaw: Let them thaw for a few minutes. I honestly love them as cold as possible, almost straight out of the freezer.
- Dates → Any variety (Medjool, Deglet Noor, chopped, or date paste).
- Nut Butter → Peanut, almond, cashew, or a mix.
- Rolled Oats → Quick oats (for softer texture).
- Puffed Rice → Puffed quinoa, barley, spelt, or any unsweetened puffed cereal.
- Dark Chocolate → Chips or chopped bar; 70%+ or semi-sweet.
- Seeds → Pumpkin, sunflower, flax, chia; any combo.
- Aromas → Orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cardamom.
- Salt → Optional, but enhances flavor.
