Apple Pie Granola Bars

Description

Courtesy of The Daily Burn

For a healthy, great-tasting snack that’s easy to take on the go, give these apple-pie-inspired granola bars a try. They’re packed with nuts and whole grains and sweetened naturally with dates, apples and a touch of honey. A dash of cinnamon and nutmeg delivers that classic apple-pie flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • ½ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/3 cup dates
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 TBSP cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup dried NY apples, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Place the oats in a blender or food processor and pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.
  3. On a baking sheet, combine the oats, shredded coconut and pecans and toast in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes to ensure mixture does not burn. Once golden in color, remove from the oven.
  4. Place the dates in a food processor and blend until they fully combine and form a paste-like consistency.
  5. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut oil, honey and vanilla. As the liquid heats up, begin to stir the date paste until it becomes well-combined with the mixture.
  6. In a bowl, combine the toasted oat mixture, chopped NY apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and hot liquid from the stove. Stir until completely mixed.
  7. Firmly press the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or until bars become firm.
  8. Remove from the fridge and cut into 20 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for more crumbly bars or in the fridge for firmer bars.