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Molasses Granola Bars

Crunchy or chewy, you decide. These bars are full of flavor and satisfy those snack cravings.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almonds, oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower, walnuts
Servings: 24 bars
Author: Chef Kim

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • 9X13 pan,
  • parchment paper,
  • saucepan,
  • Spatula
  • rolling pin, optional

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped raw nuts walnuts, pecans, almonds or sunflower/pumpkin seeds (mixture)
  • 2 cup gluten free old fashioned oats
  • 1 ½ cup gluten free crispy rice
  • 1 cup dried fruit raisins, cherries, chopped dates or apricots or mixture
  • ½ cup flax hemp or sesame seeds
  • ½ cup kale chips crushed (optional- add a nice nutritional punch)

Wet Ingredients

  • ¾ cup molasses or maple syrup or mix both
  • 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons tahini sesame butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

For Savory bars;

  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh cut herb: thyme or rosemary

Instructions

  • Prepare a 9x13 baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, extending the paper over the edges. Have that close and ready.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: nuts/seeds, oats, crispy rice, dried fruit, flax/hemp/sesame and kale chips, if using.
  • In a small saucepan, combine the wet ingredients: coconut oil, tahini, molasses/maple syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla, salt and herbs, if making savory bars.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes, while stirring constantly. It should be bubbling as you stir.
  • Being careful not to burn yourself, pour into the oat mixture and stir quickly to coat everything.
  • Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and use another sheet of parchment to cover mixture and press the mixture evenly into the pan. It is also effective to use the flat bottom of a measuring cup or rolling pin to evenly press down the mixture.
  • For chewy bars, place pan in the refrigerator to chill.
  • When completely cooled, cut and store refrigerated for two weeks. Freeze for longer life and individually wrap for a quick snack to grab on the go.
  • For crispy bars, bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.