Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars

Healthy, no-bake granola bars with just 5 ingredients and a sweet, crunchy texture. Peanut butter and maple syrup complement each other perfectly in this ideal portable breakfast or snack.

Serves: 10 bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Source: https://minimalistbaker.com/healthy-5-ingredient-granola-bars/?fbclid=IwAR0_jNbCNi26vza2wdj0hkuePsyXC-dtVN1lcHUJzLwJlwYpfzvPEbvnSO8

Ingredients:

• 1 heaping cup packed dates (pitted // deglet noor or medjool)*

• 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (or honey if not vegan)

• 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter

• 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds (loosely chopped // see instructions for roasting nuts)

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free for GF eaters)

• Chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla, etc. (optional additions)

Method:

• Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a "dough" like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball.)

• Optional step: Toast your oats (and almonds if raw) in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw – I prefer the toasted flavor.

• Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl – set aside.

• Warm maple syrup (or agave or honey) and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.

• Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (A loaf pan might work, but will yield thicker bars // adjust size of pan if altering batch size).

• Press down firmly until uniformly flattened – I use something flat, like a drinking glass, to press down and really pack the bars, which helps them hold together better.

• Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.

• Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars (or 9 squares // as original recipe is written). Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. I kept mine in the freezer to keep them extra fresh, but it isn’t necessary.