Tip
Replace the apricots with your favorite dried fruit.
Homemade Granola Bars
Completely healthy and totally easy to make, this treat makes for a great breakfast, after-school or midday snack.
1 ⅓ cups quick-cooking (not instant) rolled oats, divided
a pinch each of fine salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger
1 cup dried apricots, roughly chopped (or any combination of roughly chopped dried fruit and/or nuts)
¼ cup flax seeds
¼ cup canola oil
¼ cup high quality maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 8” square baking pan with parchment paper, letting a bit of excess paper hang over the sides.
2. Grind ⅓ cup of the oats in a food processor until powdery. Add them to a large mixing bowl with the remaining oats, the salt and spices, flax seeds, and apricots.
3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients and then stir them into the dry ingredients.
4. Put the mixture in the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula. Bake for ½ hour, or until evenly browned.
5. Remove from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes.
6. Remove to a cutting board (the parchment paper will act as a sort-of sling, making this very easy). Cut into individual granola bars.