My Favorite Granola Bars

These granola bars make a delicious, healthy snack and they also work as a wonderful pre-, during-, or post-workout super food because they contain a great combination of protein and carbs, as well as other health foods like dates and flax.  You HAVE to try these, even if you think the ingredient list is a little strange for granola bars!

I love No Meat Athlete.  I got this recipe there.  Check 'em out!

375 degrees F

Makes one 8 x 8 pan

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 t cinnamon

2 t sugar (or Agave Nectar, follow instructions on container because it's sweeter)

1 1/2 c oatmeal (whole grain steel cut oats are best)

1 c whole grain cereal (I like to use puffed brown rice or puffed kamut, Arrowhead Mills is a good brand but there are certainly others!)

1 c dried fruit, chopped (like dates)

1/2 c natural peanut butter (Crazy Richard's is my favorite, Smuckers is good too!)

1/4 c honey (or Agave)

3 T canola oil

1 T ground flax seed

Mix flax and 1/4 c of water.  Set aside to thicken.

Toss chickpeas, sugar, and 1 t cinnamon.  Bake for 10 minutes.

Bake 10 more minutes. Add oatmeal and bake for 5 minutes, stirring once.  

Stir together peanut butter, honey, oil, and flax paste.  

Combine chickpeas, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, and the remaining 1 t cinnamon.  Pour wet ingredients over the top and stir.

Press into a greased 8 x 8 pan.  Really pack it in there.  The harder you press the more likely your bars will stay formed for you instead of crumbling apart when you go to eat them!

Refrigerate until firm.  This recipe makes approximately 24 bars.  I cut them as I eat them.  They are delicious.

Profitez-en!