While visiting with the grandkids I wanted to see them eat healthier snacks and created this recipe for gluten free granola bars. I loved them so much I will be making them for myself on a regular basis, perhaps with and without the chocolate! These are addicting! Enjoy creating your own gluten free granola bars by using this recipe as a base.
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Gluten free granola bars sweetened with dates and agave syrup. Add your favorite addins such as chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, etc.
Ingredients:
- 10 pitted organic medjool dates
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup gluten free oats, ground or not (or your favorite nut flour)
- 1/4 agave syrup (less if you do not have a real sweet tooth)
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate or dark chips (or dairy-free substitute - Enjoy Life brand) (optional)
Instructions:
- In a food processor add dates, walnuts, almonds, oats and agave syrup; pulsate to chop well, but leaving some of the nuts in small chunks.
- In a bowl, add mixture and top with chocolate chips; combine by hand, distributing chips evenly.
- Spray oil or oil an 8x8 or 9x9 glass or metal pan and from about a 1/2" layer of the mixture, about as long as a granola bar. 6 inches, (not the full length of the pan).
- Place in refrigerator overnight or several hours.
- Cut into about 5 to 6 strips, creating your granola bars.
- Remove carefully with spatula.
- Reshape into rectangles, if needed, by hand.
- Store in individual ziplock bags or wrap in plastic wrap.
Tips
On my first attempt I added the oats in after I pulsated the nuts, dates and agave, mixing by hand, but I found that the oats tasted like they were uncooked, as they were. If you do it this way, you will need to wait about a day for the agave and oil from the nuts to soak into the oats to soften them. On my second batch I pulsated the oats with the nuts and it took a shorter time to soften the oats.
Because of the chocolate these are not considered a raw food. Oats are usually not raw, either. Because of their natural oils they are usually heated to prevent spoiling. For more information about raw oats check out this article, "Are The Oats You Are Buying Raw?".
Of course, if you wanted to go more raw, use raw agave, but check with the manufacturer to check on if they use any heating process.
Healthy eating has really been good for my family. It’s very satisfying to grow and then prepare your own food.
Hi Hassle free herbs!
I totally agree with you! We planted a vegetable garden this year. It had been years since my last garden and I am loving it!