Almond Granola Bars (Energy Bars)
Serves 16
15 mins prep
20 mins cook
35 mins total
These almond granola bars have a toffee-like flavor from coconut, cardamom, maple syrup and brown butter. Not too dense, they can be baked or chilled. Perfect as a snack, breakfast, or treat, and made with maple syrup, they're refined sugar-free.
Toast: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread oats and almonds on a baking sheet, in separate areas, and toast for about [timer minutes=10]10 minutes[/timer].
Chop: Cool and process almonds in a food processor, using pulse option, until coarsely chopped.
Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped almonds, coconut flakes, and puffed cereal.
Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan, gently heat almond butter. Stir in maple syrup, ghee or coconut oil, ground cardamom, vanilla and salt. Remove from heat.
Granola mixture: Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and combine very well. Transfer the mixture to an 8 x 11 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle pistachios on top and pack down with a flat glass or utensil.
Chill or Bake: Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or bake at 325°F for about [timer minutes=20]20 minutes[/timer] until edges are barely golden brown. Let the mixture cool and harden, then slice into bars using a sharp knife.