Quick & Healthy Granola Bars...

In my opinion people spend WAY too much money buying store bought granola and granola bars. Yes, I'm guilty too...it's pretty easy to just snag a box of granola bars off the shelf at the grocery store. A few months back however I decided to give making granola bars a go...I figured they couldn't be that hard to make, and I could probably create some that were even healthier than the ones I purchased at the grocery store. With this recipe you can make up to two dozen bars!

These granola bars are great as an on the go snack, or in your lunch; my husband wants at least one in his lunch bag each day! You can crumble them up and mix them in with some yogurt and fruit for a quick and healthy breakfast, or over ice cream for dessert. I've given them to friends who are pregnant/have a new baby, for a quick healthy bite to eat when they really need one. My hunger strikes usually right after the gym or while I'm running errands so I've started carrying one in my purse so my blood sugar doesn't plunge, or worse that I decide to buy something quick to eat while I'm out. (Which usually means something not very good for me!) The possibilities are endless!

Quick & Healthy Granola Bars

Work time: 15 min
Total time: 3 hrs (includes cooling time)

Lightly spray a 9x13in baking pan and line with parchment paper! (This is a must do step!)
Preheat Oven to 350F.

Mix together the following ingredients on a rimmed baking tray. Toast in oven for 10-12 min, stirring once.

2 Cups Whole Oats
1 Cup Sliced Almonds or  Chopped Walnuts/Pecans
1 Cup Shredded Coconut
1/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds or Pumpkin Seeds
2 TBS. Sesame Seeds

While the dry mixture is in the oven mix the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl together.

1/2 Cup Agave Syrup or 3/4 Cup Maple Syrup (Agave syrup will make them chewy/ Maple Syrup will make them crunchier).
2 TBS. Olive Oil
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Dried Cranberries or any other Dried Fruit of your choice (I've used Strawberries, Apricots and Dates so far!)

Once toasted remove from oven. Turn oven down to 300F.

Mix all the ingredients together really well, and then place in parchment lined baking pan. Press mixture firmly down with the back of a spatula around the bottom of the pan until the top is even.

Bake 25-30 min. until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack for 2 hrs. Grab the edges of the parchment paper and gently remove it from baking pan. Slice into bars & place into bags or cling wrap.  Enjoy!

Recipe Adapted from The Good Neighbor Cookbook