Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Do you ever have one of those days where nothing seems to be going right? I had one of those days recently when I was making these granola bars, partially because of my three failed attempts at this recipe! Yes, three. Who fails at granola bars? I do. I desperately wanted to make baked granola bars. Doesn't it just sound dreamy? Well, you know what happens when you bake granola bars (at least in my experience)? They become dry and crumbly, and you're left with a big pan of granola - not what I'm going for. Any advice on this matter? I'd love to know. In the meantime, back to the drawing board. Instead of giving up altogether (which I did consider), I looked back on my favorite granola bar recipe for a little inspiration and found just what I needed. There's no need to bake your granola bars once they're formed in the pan. The only baking required is for toasting the oats and nuts to give them more flavor and crunch. Dates provide the "glue" to hold these together and keep them 100% naturally sweetened. The best part? This recipe is simple: 8 ingredients, 20 minutes (plus chilling), and easy-to-master methods. These granola bars are everything I'd hoped for! They're: Super crunchy Speckled with oats + coconut Peanut buttery Vegan + GF Naturally sweetened & Delicious These make the perfect easy breakfast or on-the-go snack. They would be especially ideal for hiking, camping, and whenever you need a post-workout nibble. If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to snap a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram! I'd love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends! Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola Bars   Print Friendly Version Prep time 45 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 1 hour   Crunchy peanut butter granola bars with toasted oats, coconut and sunflower seeds! 8 ingredients, naturally sweetened, and the perfect breakfast or snack. Author: Minimalist Baker Recipe type: Breakfast, Snack Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free Serves: 9 squares Ingredients 2 cups (180 g) rolled oats (gluten free for GF eaters) 3/4 cup (80 g) raw slivered almonds 1/4 cup (28 g) raw sunflower seeds 1/4 cup (20 g) unsweetened shredded coconut 1/2 cup (128 g) creamy or crunchy peanut butter 2 Tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or agave nectar 20 Medjool dates*, pitted and finely chopped (~ 3/4 cup packed) optional: 2-3 Tbsp dried fruit, such as blueberries or strawberries Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Add oats, almonds, and sunflower seeds to large baking sheet. If sunflower seeds or almonds are already roasted, don’t put them on the pan and reserve to add later. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until light golden brown, stirring occasionally. In the last 5 minutes of baking, add the shredded coconut and stir. Once everything is light golden brown and toasty, remove from oven and set aside. In the meantime, add peanut butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup to a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat until melted, stirring to combine. Remove from heat when well-mixed and pourable - about 3-4 minutes. Set aside. Add chopped dates, toasted oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit (optional) to a large mixing bowl and top with peanut butter mixture. Stir well to combine, using the spoon to mash the dates and make sure they’re evenly distributed - this will help the bars stick together. Transfer mixture to prepared 8x8 dish and use a spatula to spread evenly and pack down. Lay a piece of parchment paper on top and use a drinking glass (or similar shaped object) to press down firmly and pack the mixture in place. It’s important it’s packed well or they can crumble when cutting. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to set. Cut into 9 even squares, or 10-12 bars. For best freshness, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. I prefer mine in the freezer as they stay freshest that way. Notes *If your dates aren't sticky and moist, soak in hot water for 10 minutes then drain thoroughly.*Loosely adapted from my Healthy 5 Ingredient Granola Bars. Nutrition Information Serving size: 1 square (of 9) Calories: 335 Fat: 16.8 g Saturated fat: 5.3 g Carbohydrates: 42.2 g Sugar: 23.4 g Sodium: 68 mg Fiber: 5.8 g Protein: 8.9 g 3.4.3174  

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