Gluten Free Honey Nut Granola Bars

Hello, Ask Anna readers!  Are you enjoying the Spring months?  It’s starting to warm up here in California.  Not ready for the heat, not even close.  I just can’t believe April is almost over and it will soon be summer break.  That means…kids home all day with mommy.  I’ll be in need of lots of healthy, quick snacks!  

I’ve been on the hunt for a really good granola bar recipe lately.  I just don’t like buying the ones at the store that are filled with high fructose corn syrup and unnecessary ingredients.  They are so easy to make too!  Now, I don’t know about you, but I like my granola bars chewy.  Not crunchy.  For this recipe, I decided to go with the combination of honey and nuts.  I ground up some of the oats, along with raw cashews, to help the granola bars stay together.  The coconut oil just makes them over-the-top delicious.  Make up a batch of these gluten free honey nut granola bars and your kids will gobble them right up!

You can check out more gluten free snack recipes over at Sarah Bakes Gluten Free Treats!

Gluten Free Honey Nut Granola Bars
makes 10-12 bars

• 2 1/2 cup certified gluten free rolled oats (not instant)
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup raw pecans or almonds, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Line 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, so that it hangs over the sides (for easy removal).  In food processor or high-speed blender, place 1 cup of the oats and the raw cashews.  Pulse until oats and cashews until course ground and no large pieces remain.  Pour into large mixing bowl.  Add the remaining 1 1/2 cup oats, chopped pecans, and salt.  Stir and set aside.

In small saucepan, combine the coconut oil, honey, and brown sugar.  Bring to a low boil and continue to stir for 2 minutes, until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.  Pour over oat/nut mixture.  Stir the granola, making sure the dry ingredients are completely covered.  Pour granola into parchment-lined baking dish.  Press evenly in pan with rubber spatula.  Allow to set for a couple hours.  When firm, lift out of pan.  Cut into bars with sharp knife.  Wrap with plastic wrap or store in ziploc bags.