Chewy Granola Squares

Makes for a nice after school snack

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1  cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2⁄3 cup  dried apricot, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup  mini chocolate chip
• 1⁄2 cup  almonds, toasted and chopped
• 1  cup brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1⁄2 cup almond butter
• 1⁄4 cup canola oil
• 2  large  egg whites
• 2  teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl, stir together oats, flour, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss in apricots, chocolate chips and walnuts.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together sugar, syrup, almond butter, oil, egg whites and vanilla until smooth. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until completely combined. Scoop mixture into a 9" x 13" baking dish coated with nonstick spray. Use an off-set spatula to evenly spread the mixture out. Scatter the top with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Bake until golden and firm to the touch, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove and place on a wire rack to cool before cutting into squares.