Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
Everybody loves chewy granola bars. They're great to throw in your bag for a snack or an on-the-go breakfast but the store-bought packs are expensive and loaded with sugar. The homemade version is packed with fiber and protein and are totally fun and easy to customize to make your own favorite version.
They smell amazing coming out of the oven and the egg whites and dried fruit make this recipe perfectly chewy. Change them up by putting whatever dried fruit and nuts in them you love. I opted for apricots, cranberries, cherries and almonds but dried apples, mango, walnuts and raisins would be great too. The possibilities are endless!
Chewy Granola Bars 1/2 cup honey 3 large egg whites 1/3 cup safflower oil 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 cup flaxseed meal 1/4 cup chai seeds 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped almonds 1/2 cup pecan pieces 6 dried apricots, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together honey, oil, egg whites and vanilla until smooth. In another bowl, combine oats, flaxseed, chai seed, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour oat mixture into the honey mixture and stir until the ingredients are coated. Stir in fruit and nuts. Transfer to prepared baking dish. Using a spatula, press the mixture into the pan.
Bake until light golden, 25 - 30 minutes. Put the baking dish on a wire rack and let cool completely. Turn out onto a cutting board and cut into 1/2 inch square bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
They are perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of cold milk. I've been having one every morning with my Green Smoothie!