I have always loved a good granola bar. I love the ones that have it all. You know the ones? They have a delicious nutty crunch, maybe some tart dried fruit and, of course, we cannot forget the chocolate.
Can I throw in there that I really do not want artificial ingredients, tons of sugar, and unhealthy fats?
Am I being too picky?
Probably, if we are talking store bought granola bars (I do have some favorites though! I love KIND bars and Larabars!).
That’s why I decided to just make my own. I could get everything I want, and then some, and I would be assured that they are good for my family.
Better yet? These are gluten free and can be vegan if you use dairy free chocolate chips!
Healthy snack. Easy snack. Tasty snack.
Perfect snack.
Quinoa Granola Bars
1 1/4 uncooked quinoa
1 1/4 cup uncooked oats
3/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup slivered almonds, or chopped nuts of your choice (I have used cashews and pistachios before)
1/2 cup dried fruit (I have used raisins, dried cranberries and dried cherries-all delicious!)
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)
3/4 cup honey
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 cup chocolate chips (you can add to the bar or melt and drizzle on top)
On a large sheet pan, sprinkle oats and quinoa. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes on 325 degrees. Take out of the oven and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add salt, coconut, nuts and fruit. Toss to combine. In a microwave safe bowl, warm peanut butter for 30 seconds until it is slightly “melty”. In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, coconut oil and brown sugar. Mix until smooth and pour into dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips and stir gently until all ingredients are incorporated together. Line a 13×9 inch pan with parchment paper that hangs over the sides and grease lightly with coconut oil or non stick spray. Press mixture into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and let cool for 2 hours +. If you would like to add some chocolate drizzle, melt chips in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl for 30 second intervals until smooth, but not over cooked. Drizzle on top of granola bars. Let chocolate set until hardened. Remove bars by pulling up on the parchment paper and put on a hard, flat surface to cut. Cut into bars. Store in a sealed container on the counter for three days, the refrigerator for 3 weeks or the freezer for three months.
These are great to freeze too in order to prolong them. Pop them in a lunchbox and they are thawed and ready to eat when they are!