Peanut Butter Fruit and Nut Granola Bar

One of my all time favorite snacks would have to be granola bars...for sure! The only problem is that the chocolate chip granola bars from my past were loaded with tons of added sugar and preservatives that I no longer want to put in my body. So what's a girl to do? Make my own..of course. I have played around with many granola recipes until I found the perfect combo. This granola bar makes a perfect snack for on the go. It's roughly 200 calories and loaded with healthy fats! My new favorite way to enjoy these is crumbled in a bowl, topped with strawberries and unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Delicious!

Peanut Butter Fruit and Nut Granola Bar

Source: adapted from Food Doodles

Makes 20 bars

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 3 tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup brown rice syrup or honey
• 1/4 cup Rapadura (can use brown sugar)
• 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt
• 1/3 cup smooth natural peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cup of chopped dried fruit (I use 3/4 cup dried cherries and 3/4 cup dried plums) 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 with olive oil spray.

Toss the oatmeal, walnuts, almonds, and coconut together in a small bowl.  Using a food processor, pulse half the almonds, walnuts, oats, and coconut mixture. Toss the ground oats mixture with the other half of the oats mixture and spread on a sheet pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the flaxseed.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees.

Place the coconut oil, brown rice syrup, Rapadura, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute and take off the heat. Stir in peanut butter, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the chopped dried fruits and stir well.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers or use the back of a spatula and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. 

Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours. Once completely cool....place on cutting board and cut into 20 bars.

Store in airtight container.

Enjoy!!!