Gluten Free, Dairy Free Granola Bars

Made these today on the recommendation of my mom and sister.  Mama found it online and it's an adaptation of a recipe from Ina Garten.








Granola Bars
Ingredients:

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds (I used walnuts)
• 1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
• 1/2 cup flax seed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (Earth Balance) or coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups of dried fruit/seeds/add-ins (I used 1/2 cup raisins, a few cranberries that were left in the bag, 1/2 cup dried dates and 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350.  Butter and 8x12 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
• Toss the oatmeal, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
• Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the flax seed.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300.
• Place butter, syrup, honey, vanilla, salt and cinnamon in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cook and stir for a minutes, then pour over toasted oatmeal mixture.
• Add in the fruit/seeds/add-ins and stir well.*****
• Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.  Using a piece of parchment paper lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan.  
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until light golden brown.
• Cool for at least 2-3 hours before cutting.

I wrapped mine individually - easy to grab for a quick breakfast or snack.

*****I wasn't thinking when I did this step and added the chocolate chips in with everything else.  The hot liquid melted the chips but it didn't cause a problem with the final product.  The flavor is there you just can't see the mini chips.