After posting the recipe for the Homemade Nutty Granola with Dried Cherries and Cranberries late last summer, I have been craving a granola bar version of oatmeal, dried fruit, nutty deliciousness. In spite of there being so many different granola bar options found on the shelves of the grocery stores, very few of them speak to me. Because while there are always some exceptions, homemade is almost always better than store bought. If I can be so bold, these Nutty Dried Fruit Granola Bars turned out to be so much more delicious and possibly healthier than anything you could buy. Perfect for breakfast, as a post-run/workout refueling snack, as a kinder healthy alternative to a candy bar, to take on a hike, and/or to satisfy a craving for something a little sweet, you really need these bars in your life.
Made with almost all natural ingredients and only a small amount of sugar, they are chewy, nutty, the perfect amount of sweet, crunchy, and oh so satisfying. And as a bonus they are seriously delicious.
This could not be an easier to make, baked version granola bar. So easy in fact, you will be making them on a regular basis.
Toasting the oats, almonds, wheat germ, and coconut in the oven for just 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees (F) before mixing them with all of the other ingredients further deepens the flavor of these granola bars.
The honey, dark brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and Kosher salt brought to a boil on the stove becomes the mixture used to bind the oats, nuts, dried fruit and chocolate together. After adding the honey/sugar/butter mixture to the toasted oats, only the dried fruit is mixed in. Then it needs about 15-20 minutes of cooling down time before you add the miniature chocolate chips. If you add the chocolate if the mixture is too warm, your chocolate will melt. Note: I personally love dried cherries and dried cranberries. But feel free to substitute equal amounts of your favorite dried fruits.
After the chocolate chips are mixed in, the mixture is transferred to a parchment paper lined 9"x9" baking pan. If you lightly butter your fingers, it will be easier to press the mixture evenly into the pan.
Baking time ranges from 25-30 minutes or until the granola bars are lightly golden. Once baked the bars need to rest for about two hours before you cut them into bars. Using a 9" x 9" pan creates ten perfectly sized granola bars. Enough for you and enough to share! To keep them as fresh as possible, completely wrap them in parchment paper (not plastic wrap) and store them in a sealed container.
As hard as this may be to believe, I would absolutely choose one of these Nutty Dried Fruit Granola Bars over a candy bar to satisfy my insatiable sweet tooth! And, if by chance, you decided to be a healthier you this year, these granola bars might help you keep that promise to yourself!
Recipe
Nutty Dried Fruit Granola Bars
Makes 10 bars
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups (203g) old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup (41g) wheat germ
1 cup (130g) whole almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (50g) flaky sweetened coconut
4 Tablespoons (56) unsalted butter
1/3 cup (113g) honey
1/4 cup (50g) dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup (74g) dried cherries
1/4 cup (37g) dried cranberries
1 cup + 1 Tablespoon (92g) mini chocolate chips, divided
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a 9"x 9" pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. On a large baking sheet, mix together the oatmeal, wheat germ, almonds, and coconut. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just lightly browned. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees (F).
4. Add the butter, honey, brown sugar, Kosher salt and vanilla to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.
5. Stir in the dried cherries and dried cranberries. Let mixture rest for 15-20 minutes.
6. Add in one cup of the miniature chocolate chips. Stir to blend.
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Lightly butter your fingers and press the mixture down evenly in the pan. Sprinkle with the remaining one tablespoon of miniature chocolate chips.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven. Let the granola bars rest for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
9. Store bars in a tightly covered container.
Note: (1) If you want to make these granola bars gluten free eliminate the wheat germ and increase the amount of old-fashioned oats to 2 1/2 cups and dried cranberries to 1/2 cup. (2) To keep them fresh, wrap them in parchment paper and store in a tightly sealed container.
