Healthy, No-Bake Honey-Almond-Coconut Granola Bars

These are an energy and nutrient rich treat! Add ground flax seeds or chia seeds for an omega-3 boost, and fiber.

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped almonds (or walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, or pumpkin seeds if nut free)
• 1 ¾ cups oats (old fashioned or quick cooking)
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 cup cream almond or peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter if nut free)
• ½ cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

 Optional ingredients: dark chocolate chips, chopped dried fruit (dates, apricots, cranberries)

 Instructions: 

1. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with crisscrossed pieces of parchment paper. This will make pressing the bars into shape, then releasing them from the pan easy. I’ve used plastic wrap too.
2. Toast the chopped almonds/nuts to bring out ALL the flavor. Place in a skillet over medium heat and toss/stir for about 5 minutes until fragrant.
3. In a mixing bowl, add oats, coconut, cinnamon and salt. Add your chocolate chips and/or dried fruit here if adding.
4. In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, whisk almond butter, honey and vanilla extract. (You may need to heat in the microwave for a few seconds).
5. Use a large wooden spoon or spatula to mix the wet ingredients into the dry. If the mixture seems too wet, add extra oats.
6. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan.
7. Cover, and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight. This allows the liquid to be absorbed into the oats, and the bars to set.

*Adapted from Cookie & Kate