Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups rolled oats
½ cup dried cranberries, or fruit of choice
¼ cup chopped, toasted walnuts, or nut of choice
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
½ tsp kosher salt or ¼ tsp fine salt
1/3 cup honey (maple syrup if vegan)
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup coconut oil, melted
2 large egg whites (omit if vegan)
½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Prep oven and pan: Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper with over-hanging edges.
Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together oats, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and salt.
Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together honey, sugar, oil, egg whites and vanilla.
Combine wet and dry: Stir together wet and dry ingredients and spread into prepared pan, pressing down firmly to help prevent bars from breaking apart. I covered the top with another piece of parchment to prevent my hands from sticking to the oat mixture as I was pressing it down.
Bake: Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, rotating halfway through, until golden brown and darker around edges. Allow to cool completely in pan.
Cut: For the cleanest cuts, chill in fridge for 1-2 hours before slicing. A large serrated knife or chef’s knife work well. Cut into 12 portions, or as desired. Serve bars at room temperature.
Store: Store at room temperature for 3-5 days, or in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Take out of fridge for at least an hour before eating to allow to soften at room temperature. Bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months and defrosted overnight in the fridge. Enjoy.
