Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

Submitted by maryjjohnson34

"Granola bars make an epic on-the-go breakfast, snack or dessert and are pretty amazing as a late-night nibble if you're staying up late to binge-watch Netflix."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 2 cups oats
• 1⁄2 cup sugar or 1/2 cup artificial sweetener
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 1⁄2 cups dried fruits
• 1⁄3 cup peanut butter
• 6 tablespoons oleiva traditional extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup honey, maple syrup or 1/4 cup agave syrup
• 1 tablespoon water

directions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 180˚C (350˚F). Depending on desired thickness, line a square (8x8 or 9x9) or rectangular (9x13) baking dish with parchment paper, then lightly grease with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Thicker bars are a little more decadent, if you're planning on using this as a dessert.
2. 2. Process 1/3 cup (80 mL) of the oats in a blender or food processor until finely ground.
3. 3. If necessary, chop up dried fruit and nuts. Raisin-size pieces are fine, but bigger pieces like dried apricots or apples should probably be chopped.
4. 4. Stir together all dry ingredients — oats, ground oats, sugar, salt, cinnamon, fruits/nuts/seeds.
5. 5. Whisk together wet ingredients — olive oil, honey, peanut butter and water.
6. 6. Mix together the wet and dry ingredients, then spread in the pan. Press firmly into corners and edges so the top is even.
7. 7. Bake for around 30 minutes, until the top starts to brown. Thicker bars will likely take longer, so you'll need to watch them depending on how much batter you've spread in what size pan. The edges will become deep golden and they may feel underdone in the center, but that's okay. They'll firm quite nicely as they cool.
8. 8. Let cool in the pan on a cooling rack for at least 20 minutes, then take them out using the parchment. Let cool completely before cutting.