Super Seed Granola Bar Recipes

SUPER SEEDY GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Toast your oats and almonds in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 13-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
• 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).
• Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl. Add seeds and set aside.
• Warm agave and peanut or almond butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout. Use a spoon or your hands to thoroughly mix.
• Transfer to an 8×8 dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (Or use 2/3 of a 9×13 // as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size)
• Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and press down with something flat, such as a book, to get them really packed tight. This will help them from being crumbly. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden.
• Remove bars from dish and chop into 10 even bars (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). 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.

SUPER SEED GRANOLA BAR

Steps:

• Place one oven rack at the topmost oven position and preheat oven to 350*.
• On a cookie sheet, mix together and spread out the oats, chia buckwheat groats (or super seed ancient grains from Trader Joes), sunflower seeds and sliced almonds. Roast in the preheated oven, on the top rack, for 15 minutes. Check every 5 minutes during this process and stir the mixture around to get even roasting and prevent burning.
• While the grain mixture is roasting, slice open the dates, discard the pits. Place cleaned dates in a small food processor and process until they form a thick ball.
• Combine the dates, honey, and almond butter in a large saucepan. Heat on medium to medium high, stirring constantly until a thick sauce is formed. Remove from heat.
• When the oats are finished, and while they are still warm, pour them into the saucepan with the almond butter/date/honey sauce. The warmth of the oats will help mix them with the sauce more easily. Add the protein powder and the vanilla.
• Mix all ingredients until all ingredients thoroughly combined. This is a very dry looking mix. Do not add more liquid or it will not bind together in the next step.
• Spray a square pan 8x8 with nonstick spray. Press the mixture into the pan evenly. Place in Freezer to firm up for 15 minutes.
• Remove from freezer and slice into 12 even pieces. Enjoy!

NO BAKE SUPER SEED GRANOLA BARS

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of an 8" square pan with plastic wrap and set aside. Place pitted dates, peanut butter (or almond butter), juice, honey and cinnamon in a food processor and pulse until puréed and paste-like. Place date mixture in a medium to large bowl. Add 2 cups of the granola bar mix, coconut and cranberries and mix well to combine. Spoon granola bar mixture into your prepared pan and very tightly pack it in. Pull the plastic wrap over the granola bar mixture to cover then refrigerate at least four hours to firm up. Unwrap the granola bar, lift out of pan and set on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the granola mixture in half. Now cut each half, widthwise, into 6 bars. Spread the remaining granola mix on a plate. Lightly coat each bar with a little bit of the mix. Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy. Refrigerated bars will keep up to a month. Note: Medjool dates are available in our Produce Department. If using almond butter in this recipe and it is overly thick, you may need to add a little more to help these bars hold together. Recipe options: Instead of cranberries, try another dried fruit in these bars, such as blueberries or cherries.