Description
These Healthy Cereal Bars are a perfect nutritious snack made with rolled oats, almond butter, nuts, dried fruits, and seeds. Baked to golden perfection, they offer a wholesome blend of flavors and textures, ideal for a quick breakfast or an energy-boosting treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
- 1/2 cup dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, or apricots)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, dried fruits, shredded coconut, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Warm Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the almond butter and honey (or maple syrup) while stirring constantly. Once blended, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the warm almond butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix well until all the oats and nuts are fully coated.
- Press Mixture into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it firmly and evenly into the pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Cut: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the parchment paper to remove and then cut into bars or squares.
- Store: Store the cereal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
Notes
- Use natural almond butter without added sugars or oils for a healthier bar.
- Feel free to customize the nuts and dried fruits to your preference.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to ensure bars hold together well after baking.
- Store bars in the fridge for up to two weeks for extended freshness.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw before serving.
