Granola bars

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Granola bars
Perfect for school lunches, these act like as a treat but with all the healthy goodness of a granola bar. 

Vegetable oil

75g blanched almonds

250g rolled oats

40g sunflower or pumpkin seeds

100g runny honey

6 tbsp smooth peanut or almond butter

10 medjool dates, stones in

40g bran

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 pinch of sea salt

50g sour cherries or dried cranberries

50g dried apricots

Preheat the oven to 180ºC / 350ºF / Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease a 22cm-square baking dish with oil, then set aside.

Roughly chop and add the almonds to a large baking tray with the oats and seeds.

Spread them out into an even layer and place in the hot oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden, stirring halfway.

Gently heat the honey and nut butter in a small pan over a low heat.

Meanwhile, slit open the dates, pull out and discard the stones, then place into a blender with 100ml of warm water.

Blitz to a paste, stir it into the warmed honey mixture, then leave to cool.

Transfer the toasted oat mixture to a large bowl with the bran, cinnamon and salt.

Roughly chop and stir in the dried fruit, then mix in the honey mixture until well combined.

Spoon it into the prepared baking dish, using the back of a spoon to press it into an even layer.

Bake in the hot oven for 15 minutes, or until golden and set.

Leave to cool slightly, turn it out onto a board and cut into squares, then set aside to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container.

Serves
16

Preparation Time
10 minutes

Cooking Time
30 minutes

Main ingredients
Fruit, Nuts, Seeds

Recipe Type
Cakes & Baking, Breakfast, Vegetarian

Special Info
Vegetarian

Level of Difficulty
Easy

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