Cherry Almond Granola Bars
User Reviews
4.9
Cherry Almond Granola Bars
Description
The recipe to create Cherry Almond Granola Bars starts with lightly toasting oats and almonds to develop flavor and crispness. Dates and dried tart cherries are processed until sticky, serving as a natural binder. This sweetened fruit mix combines with the toasted oats, almonds, and seeds like flax, hemp, sesame, or chia for extra crunch and nutrients.
A heated mixture of maple syrup, almond butter, and coconut oil creates a creamy, cohesive coating that is combined thoroughly with the dry ingredients. The mixture's tacky consistency allows it to be pressed firmly into a baking pan for baking, resulting in chewy bars with firmness enough to hold between fingers.
Once cooled, bars can be sliced and enjoyed as a portable snack or breakfast option. They store well and can be varied by switching the dried fruit or nuts. The optional vanilla extract adds dimension, while salt balances sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (gluten-free for GF eaters)
- 3/4 cup almonds or chopped raw almonds, slivered
- 2/3 cup packed dates deglet noor or medjool // ~7-8 large medjool dates as the original recipe is written, pitted, measured after pitting
- 1/3 cup packed dried tart cherries (unsweetened if possible, or sub other tart dried fruit // plus more for topping)
- 1/4 cup seeds we love flax, hemp, sesame, and chia, of choice
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
- 1/4 cup almond butter just almonds + salt, creamy, salted, natural
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 healthy pinch salt sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add your oats and almonds to a bare baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
- Add dates and dried fruit to a food processor and mix until small bits remain or a ball forms — ~20 seconds. It should be quite tacky / sticky.
- Add the toasted oats and almonds to a large mixing bowl along with the date-fruit mixture and the seeds. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, warm maple syrup, almond butter, and oil, stirring until creamy and smooth. Then remove from heat, add a pinch of salt and vanilla (optional), and stir again to combine.
- Pour into the large mixing bowl and then mix, breaking up the date-fruit mixture to disperse throughout (option to add 1 more handful of dried cherries to the mix). Use a spoon or your hands to mix thoroughly. It should be very tacky and hold its shape when squeezed between two fingers. If too dry or crumbly, add a bit more maple syrup and/or almond butter and continue mixing.
- Transfer to the prepared 8×8-inch dish and use a wooden spoon or your hands to disperse into an even layer. Cover with parchment and press down with something flat, such as a drinking glass, to get the mixture packed really tightly. This will prevent the bars from being crumbly. Chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.
- Remove bars from dish and chop into 12 even bars (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. They travel fine if taking on-the-go, though they keep their shape best right out of the freezer or refrigerator.
Notes
- Use gluten-free oats to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- If bars seem too dry, add a little extra syrup or almond butter to improve binding.
- Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Optionally add more dried cherries on top for extra tartness and appearance.
- Preparation time includes baking and necessary cooling before handling.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12(Bars)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 204 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 204 | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 25.6g | 9% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.6g | 8% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.1g | 11% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 21mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 265mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3.7g | 15% |
| Sugar | 14.4g | 29% |
| Vitamin A | 101IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 0.6mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 58.6mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1.2mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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