grainless granola bars

Granola bars have been a staple in our house, even since before having kids. They are an easy, on the go breakfast or snack, and these days everyone seems to be on the go. There are some decent pre-packaged options out there, but they usually come with a huge price tag. These homemade bars are grain free, but you can also make them with oatmeal for a more kid friendly variety.  It seems like a huge list of ingredients, but you just throw everything into a blender or food processor. Super easy!

This recipe is adapted from 100 Days of Real Food.  Love her blog!

Grainless Granola Bars

2 cups almond flour/meal

1 cup raw slivered almonds

1 cup raw cashews

1 cup unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground ginger

6 tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup raw honey

2 tsp vanilla 

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.  Throw the almonds, cashews, coconut, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds into a food processor.  Give it a couple pulses, then throw in the almond meal, spices, and salt.  Give it another couple whirls until everything is good and mixed.  Transfer the mixture to a medium sized bowl.  Melt your coconut oil in a saucepan, then add the honey and vanilla to the oil.  Once these three are nice and warm, pour it over your nut mixture.  Stir until completely incorporated.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour your mixture onto the paper.  Press together with your hands until you form a nice, flat sheet of granola bar goodness, about a 1/2 inch thick.  Bake for an hour.  Let the bars cool completely before cutting.  Store in an air tight container.  Yummy!!!

If you want to add oats you can either eliminate the almond meal completely and add 3 1/2 cups of oats.  I found steel cut oats don't work as well and the texture turns out funny.  Or you can also meet in the middle and do a cup of almond flour and 2 cups of oats.  I've tried many different combinations and you really can't mess these up.  If you don't like a particular nut or seed, just swap it out for something else.  Chocolate chips are a yummy addition, too!  Just throw them into the food processor with the rest of the ingredients.