Homemade Dried Apricot + Raisin Granola Bars
So last weekend I went to Vegas for the FIRST TIME! I was heading there for one of my girlfriend’s bachelorette parties and I was SO excited to go. As I knew that the weekend would most likely be filled with delicious (unhealthy) food and some drinking….or should I say a little more than some, I wanted to start the trip off right by making something healthy to take with me!
As we all know, airport food isn’t the healthiest, so I decided to make the most delicious and nutritionally loaded homemade granola bars!! These granola bars are the perfect thing to take with you while traveling, and are the perfect food to snack on. Also, lets not forget that they they are loaded with nutritional ingredients and are naturally sweetened with 100% maple syrup and dried fruits! Also, they keep well for an extended period of time, because there is no dairy and they don’t need refrigeration.
Oh and lastly, if you don’t know already, I mainly try to stay away from gluten and dairy, so these granola bars are extra amazing because the whole oats are gluten-free! Also, this recipe is so incredibly easy to make, because it uses less than 10 ingredients.
So first, you need to combine the whole rolled oats (gluten-free optional) with the dried apricots, raisins, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in a large bowl. After all of the dried ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the bowl, mix in one mashed banana. Then after all of these ingredients are mixed together, add in the maple syrup, coconut flakes, almond butter and the dark chocolate chips. Also, I added in some tested orange to add that perfect hint of citrus and to give it a fresh, springy taste!
After all of the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, transfer the mixture into an 8x8 inch pan, lined with parchment paper. Then press down the top of the mixture until firmly set. Place the dish into the freezer for an hour. Finally cut the bars into pieces and eat!!
I know you guys will love these granola bars as much as I do & make sure to take them with you when you're on the go!
Serves 16
Recipe:
Whole Rolled Oats - Gluten-Free - 1 1/2 cups
1 mashed banana
Pumpkin Seeds - 1/3 cup
Dried Apricots - 1/2 cup
Raisins - 1/2 cup
Coconut Flakes - 1/3 cup
Honey - 1/3 cup
Almond Butter - 3/4 cup
Flax Seeds - 1/4 cup (optional)
Dark Chocolate Chips - 1/4 cup (optional)
If you make this recipe, make sure to let me know how you like them! Also, if you're on Instagram, make sure to take a picture and tag me @oliviasobjectsofobsession!
