Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 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)
• 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (or honey if not vegan)
• 1 heaping cup packed dates ((pitted // deglet noor or medjool)*)

Method

1. 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.)1 min timer
2. 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.15 min timer
3. Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl - set aside.
4. 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.
5. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8-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).
6. 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.
7. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.20 min timer
8. 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.