Can you make almond butter granola bars with whole almonds?

Yes! You don't have to splurge on almond butter at the store—make your own! Toast the almonds on a sheet pan at 350 for 5-10 minutes to warm them up, then blend in the food processor until smooth and creamy (about 5-10 minutes). Stir this homemade creamy almond butter into the oat mixture, and bake like normal. You can mix and match different nuts, too.

What's the best sweetener for granola bars?

Honey not only adds sweetness but also helps hold these chewy almond butter granola bars together. If you don't have any, replace it with another syrupy sweetener, like maple syrup or brown rice syrup.

Is it cheaper to make your own granola bars?

That depends on the quality of your ingredients. Oats and honey aren't typically very expensive, but if you use local, raw honey or organic sprouted oats, they can be! Almond butter tends to be a bit pricey, but you can often get it for a more affordable price at Costco or other bulk stores. Fortunately, this recipe can be made with any nut butter, so you can adapt the quality of ingredients to your budget.

Almond Butter Granola Bars

Name: Almond Butter Granola Bars
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups rolled oats; 3/4 cup whole almonds; 2/3 cup almond butter; 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup); 3 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter), melted; 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped or chips; melted chocolate (optional, for drizzling)

Description

Looking for the perfect snack for your kids' lunchboxes or for your own? Almond Butter Granola Bars packed are the perfect handheld snack any time of day. They are healthy, gluten-free, and have no refined sugar. So unlike the sugary boxed stuff, you know exactly what ingredients are in these bars. It's guilt-free snacking at it's finest.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup whole almonds
2/3 cup almond butter
1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
3 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter), melted
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped or chips
melted chocolate (optional, for drizzling)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large sheet pan, add rolled oats and almonds. Toss to combine and spread out evenly. Bake for 10-15 minutes until toasted. Keep a close eye on them towards the end to make sure that they don’t burn.
Transfer the toasted oats and almonds to a large mixing bowl. Add almond butter, honey, and melted butter. Use a spatula to mix until combined. If the mixture is warm from the toasted oats or melted butter, then let it sit at room temperature until completely cool.
Once cooled to room temperature, fold in the chopped chocolate.
Line an 8x8-inch square dish with parchment paper and allow for an overhang on two sides (for easy removal). Add the granola mixture and spread it across the bottom. Use a spatula or the back of a flat bottomed measuring cup or glass to pack it in very tightly and evenly.
Transfer the pan to the fridge and chill until set, about 30 minutes. Once hardened, carefully remove the large granola square using the parchment paper overhang. Use a sharp knife to slice horizontally in the middle. Then, make 5 vertical slices to create 12 rectangular bars.
Optional: On any of the granola bars, add a drizzle of melted chocolate. Place back into the fridge until the chocolate is completely hard.

Notes

How to store: You can store homemade granola bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to freeze: To freeze, slice and place them on a parchment lined baking tray and freeze for an hour. Then transfer the bars into a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Snacks
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American