Gluten-Free Vegan Granola Bars

Tired of overpaying for gluten-free or vegan foods, but you don't want to spend hours cooking? This was what I came up with in very little time from various ingredients in my cupboard. That my children eat them was a testimony that kids love healthy foods, especially if they're part of the cooking process. A home run: Easy, healthy, and delicious.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 314 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup sesame seeds
• 1 ½ cups crispy rice cereal
• cooking spray
• ½ cup chia seeds
• ⅔ cup coconut oil
• 1 ½ cups almond butter
• ½ cup flaxseed meal
• 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• ½ cup cacao nibs
• ⅔ cup vegan chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup unsweetened dried coconut

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a 10x15-inch rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on 2 sides. Grease with cooking spray.

Step 2

Combine almond butter, honey, and coconut oil in a saucepan. Heat over low heat until melted and easily blended, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Mix oats, crispy rice cereal, almonds, cranberries, chocolate chips, chia seeds, flaxseed meal, sesame seeds, cacao nibs, and coconut in a large bowl. Pour in almond butter mixture; toss until fully mixed.

Step 4

Press mixture into the baking sheet with moistened hands until it is very compact.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely, about 20 minutes. Lift from the baking sheet and slicing into 30 bars.