Do you know what breakfast cereal is made of? It’s made of all those little curly wooden shavings you find in pencil sharpeners!”
― Roald Dahl .
Well Roald Dahl my friend, you are sorely mistaken, because not all breakfast cereals are made of that. These delicious granola bars are made from the healthiest ingredients of nuts, seeds, oats, delicious dried fruits and spices, and are perfect for an eat -on- the- run breakfast as well as for a mid morning or afternoon pick me up. Try Kel’s Healthy Breakfast Granolaor Pumpkin and Spice Granola, as an alternative breakfast cereal.
I have been dying to make these Granola Bars for awhile now, but thought it would be a good idea to wait until I went to the United States so that I could try them out on Kelly and Brendon, who only eat organic food at home, and I was so glad I waited, because they loved them. I made them 5 times in the last few weeks, altering them slightly each time to get them perfect. Although they can last in a sealed jar for a few weeks they will be finished within a day or two, because they are seriously addictive. The bars are made with coconut oil, almond butter and brown rice syrup to bind them. Try this delicious almond butter recipe if almond butter is not readily available where you live. Maple syrup can be used as a substitute for the brown rice syrup.
I love going to the grocery stores in California where absolutely every food item is available. If I had more room in my suitcase I would have brought back every bottle and jar of deliciousness that we cant get in South Africa. As it transpires I had to leave half my clothes behind because of lack of space in my suitcase. But one has to prioritize , and I can buy more clothes back home but not all the amazing healthy food stuff stacking Trader Joes shelves.
This recipe can be doubled.
Healthy Granola Bars
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup raw sliced almonds
- ½cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup raisins, sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (or light brown sugar if coconut sugar not available)
- ¼ cup almond butter (recipe added below if almond butter not available)
- ¼ cup brown rice syrup (or maple syrup )
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- A dash of salt (leave out if you prefer no salt)
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- A dash of nutmeg
- Preheat oven to 350°F/175ºC with your rack in the middle position.
- Line an oiled baking tray with parchment or silicone sheet and set aside.
- Mix oats, almonds, coconut, seeds and raisin mix, and dried berries in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine coconut oil, coconut sugar, almond butter and brown rice syrup in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until dissolved.
- Stir in vanilla, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and pour over oat mixture, and combine.
- Press the granola mixture evenly into prepared pan using a sheet of waxed paper or plastic wrap on surface to avoid the granola sticking to your hands and bake 30 minutes or until golden .
- Remove from oven and allow granola bars to cool slightly before cutting into bars.
- This can be stored for up to 3 weeks
