Description
Cherry Almond Granola Bars are a wholesome, delicious snack combining the natural sweetness of dried cherries with the crunch of toasted almonds. Easy to make and packed with nourishing ingredients, they are perfect for a quick breakfast, an energy boost, or a portable treat on the go.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup toasted almonds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ⅓ cup nut butter (e.g., almond or peanut butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by toasting the almonds and oats lightly in a pan or oven. This releases their natural oils and enhances flavor, giving your bars a delightful nutty aroma and crunch.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the toasted oats, almonds, dried cherries, cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt. Toss these ingredients to distribute everything evenly.
- Warm the Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan, gently heat the honey (or maple syrup) and nut butter, stirring until smooth and combined. Add vanilla extract to the mix for an inviting fragrance.
- Combine and Press: Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until every bit is coated. Press the mixture firmly into a lined baking dish, smoothing the top to an even layer.
- Chill and Cut: Refrigerate the whole pan for at least 2 hours to firm up the bars. Once set, lift the mixture out with the parchment paper and slice into bars of your desired size.
Notes
- Use a spatula or your hands to press the mixture firmly to avoid crumbly bars.
- Don’t skip toasting the oats and nuts as it significantly enhances flavor.
- Store bars in an airtight container to keep freshness and prevent drying out.
- Adjust honey or syrup quantity depending on your preferred sweetness level.
- Soften nut butter before mixing to ensure smooth blending with wet ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (toasting time)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg