I can’t even tell you how many granola bar recipes I developed before I figured this one out. I prefer them baked, but you can skip that step if you prefer. These are listed as nut-free but feel free to swap out whatever mix-ins you want. Make them your own!
If baking, pre-heat your oven to 350 F.
Add your softened dates to a food processor and whirl that bad boy until it’s nice and smooth. Toss in your maple syrup and tahini (or nut butter) and let ‘er rip again till it’s all mixed together beautifully. Scrape down the sides from time to time if you think it needs a little love.
In a separate bowl mix together the oats with your spices, add everything else except for the chocolate chips (if you’re using), and mix the it all crazy like till it’s nice and combined and things are spread out. Add in the chocolate and mix again - make sure it’s not all in one spot or someone’s gonna get ticked off when they get a chocolate-free bar!
Get a 8x8 baking pan out - silicon is ideal - otherwise line it with some parchment paper. Spread your mixture out onto it. Dampen your hands with water and flatten it all out as best as you can.
Now you’ve got two options: Freeze or Bake.
Pop it into the oven for 25-30 minutes until it’s got a little golden crisp on top. Let it rest in the pan for as long as you can for it to firm up. An hour is ideal. Longer doesn’t hurt.
When you take them out, cut the sheet in half, and then keep cutting the remaining amount in half until you’ve got 16 bars around the same size.
These store just fine on the counter for at least a week (or more) in an air-tight container.
Pop into a freezer and let it sit at least 30 minutes to harden.
When you take them out remove them from the pan and immediately cut in half, and then keep cutting the remaining amount in half until you’ve got 16 bars around the same size.
Space them out on parchment, or wrap individually and freeze to store them. They’ll last pretty much forever this way.
Servings 16
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Add or omit any other ingredients you want, just stick to similar amounts for the different types of mix-ins to keep the same consistency of bar.
Nutritional information includes the chocolate chips
