Banana Nut Granola Bars

Making granola is fun and pretty simple, and there’s so many ways to change it up. I wanted to try making granola bars(as opposed to granola pieces) and try a new flavor, so here you have Banana Nut Granola Bars.

However, the bars were not so sturdy, so I have some bars and some granola. No problem there! I am not sure yet how to master the art of making them stay in a bar shape when cutting. I’ll have to look around.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 C old fashioned oats
• 3/4 C almonds (mixed slivered and whole)
• 1/2 C chopped pecans
• 2 T flax meal
• 2 T coconut
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 T cocoa
• pinch nutmeg
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 C dates, chopped
• 1/3 C banana chips, chopped
• 1/4 C maple syrup
• 2 T applesauce
• 2 T peanut butter, creamy
• 1/3 C brown sugar

Instructions:

• Bring brown sugar, apple sauce, syrup and peanut butter to a soft boil. Let bubble until thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Turn fire off while prepping dry ingredients.
• In a separate bowl, combine all other ingredients and gently mix.
• Add wet to dry and stir well.
• In an 8 x 8 x 2 brownie pan (or any square pan of similar size), line with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. (picture is pre-baking)

• Pour oat mixture into pan and pack in with back of spatula. Press down so it’s tight and even on top.
• Bake at 300* for 35-40 minutes, until top is brown but not burned. (a crispy top out of the oven)

• Remove from oven and let cool. Cut into squares or bars once cooled with a serrated knife.

These were a little different than the other fruity granola I made last week. Because I cooked it in a big block, it didn’t get as crunchy, but had a great chewy texture. The nuts and fruits were a perfect size, not too chunky but still big enough to get a good bite of flavor. They didn’t cut too well, I had some bars and then a lot of granola chunks.

I also thought the cocoa flavor was not as pungent as I hoped. Next time I will increase that.

Regardless, it’s still quite tasty and I think you’ll enjoy it too.

P.S. New story on CultureMap Jenni’s Noodle House gives kids free vegetables