Homemade Gluten-Free Granola Bars
Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup fresh ground flax seed meal
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar or whole sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped, pitted dates
- 1/2 cup chopped, dried apricots
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 x 12-inch baking dish and line with parchment paper.
Toss the oats, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the flax seed meal.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
Place the coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 1 minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
Pour mixture into the prepared 8 x 12-inch baking dish. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake 25–30 minutes until light and golden brown. Cool in pan at least 2–3 hours before cutting.
Recipe and photo submitted by Katrina, Tampa, FL.
