Fat Free Granola Bars Recipes

Steps:

• In a non-stick pan, place the oats and bake at 325 degrees for 10-15 minutes to toast to a golden brown. Transfer the oats to a large bowl, add the cereal and raisins, and toss well to combine.
• In a blender or food processor, place the dates and water; allow to sit 5 minutes, and then process for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Transfer the pureed dates to a saucepan and add the apple juice concentrate, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the extracts. Pour the date mixture over the oat mixture and toss well to combine. Pour the mixture into the same pan used to toast the oats, and place a piece of waxed paper on top of the mixture.
• Use a can on top of the waxed paper to roll out the mixture evenly, and compress it firmly. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned. It will seem soft but will harden as it cools.
• Allow it to cool for 10 minutes, cut into 24 bars, and transfer to a rack to cool completely. Wrap them individually in aluminum foil, waxed paper, or plastic cling film, or store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Place 3/4 cups almonds and 3/4 cups sunflower seeds into a food processor; chop until nuts are in 1/4-inch pieces, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from food processor and pour in a bowl. Place the remaining almonds and sunflower seeds into the food processor; roughly chop into larger pieces, about 1 minute. Mix remaining nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, and dried apricot into the 1/4-inch nuts until fruit and nut mixture is combined.
• Combine coconut oil, honey, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt in a sauce pan over medium-low heat; cook until the coconut oil mixture bubbles and turns a lighter color, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Pour coconut oil mixture over the fruit and nut mixture; stir until the granola mixture takes on the consistency of wet sand, about 1 minute.
• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Pour granola mixture onto the sheet; place a second sheet of waxed paper on top of the granola mixture. Push down on the waxed paper with you hands until the granola mixture has been evenly spread. Pack tightly to ensure that the granola will not fall apart.
• Cool until granola has hardened, 2 to 3 hours. Cut into bars.