Granola bars. I love ‘em. We all love ‘em! Heck, I even helped out at an amazing bar company for a while. But this year I am vowing to make it home made and stop, well, try to stop buying products I can make myself. We started with some artichoke white bean hummus, which I have been loving lately- and now we’re onto another snack item: yummy oat bars.
Dense, chewy, just sweet enough (naturally!), packed with grains and healthy fats… this one is a winner! Oh, and they’re gluten-free, too!
Please note in Canada products containing oats are not considered gluten free, however oats do not physically contain gluten ( it is the possible contamination of gluten on them that makes them considered glutinous) and I myself have found I am able to tolerate organic rolled oats well, however if you are more sensitive or have celiac’s disease please bake at your own risk.
Yummy Oat Bars
1 1/2 c rolled oats
1/2 c gluten-free baking blend (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp ground flax seed
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup maple syrup/agave nectar/honey (I like half and half agave/maple)
1/3 c canola or grapeseed oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup unsweetened fruit jam (I used apricot!)
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix dry ingredients (up to sea salt) in a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
3. Add wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Scoop half of the mixture into a small baking pan and press into bottom. It will be sticky!
4. Layer fruit spread evenly over bottom half of mixture. Add other half of mixture to the top and smooth over.
5. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool completely before cutting- I like to put them in the fridge. They can be crumbly!
This recipe is adapted from The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics. It’s a fun and informative book on macrobiotics, but great for the recipes even if you’re not looking to become macro!
These bars are sooo good with raw almond butter on top… I’m actually thinking of baking them with almond butter instead of jam next time- yum!
Have you ever made your own granola/snack bars? If you have recipes, please share! I’m looking to try Susan’s protein bars soon!
xo
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh yum, I want one! I make a lot of raw oat bars inspired by a recipe from Kris at iheartwellness.com. Basically just mash banana, add coconut oil, oats, maple/syrup honey and whatever else you like! I add chia, protein powder ect.
oh no how come you dont work with angela anymore?
Gillian- Yum! I’m going to have to look those up!
Danielle-I was just helping her out when she needed me and she doesn’t need me now! No biggie
xo
Mmmmm I love oat bars. Ill have to keep this one bookmarked to try sometime soon.
Homemade are the best! Though I don’t make them nearly often enough and I’m still on the search for a good solid bar recipe. I might have to do some bar experimentation this week, though I’m completely out of oats, unacceptable! I have everything else for your recipe though, including APRICOT jam, which I’ll bet would taste amazing in a bar! I’m picking up oats asap.
Oh man, I can’t live without oats. Pick ‘em up right away!
i have stopped buying bars and am trying to eat mine up so i can make them. bookmarked these, they look so good!
They are SO good! Kind of addicting, actually. And I am finding them a little crumbly, so I end up practically licking the plate to get every last bite… so un-ladylike
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