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Easy to make, soft and chewy Dried Fruit Granola Bars. This simple recipe is perfect as-is or can easily be adapted to include your favorite dried fruits and nuts.
Granola is so easy to make and the kind you might find on your grocery store’s shelves simply cannot compare to the wonderful taste of homemade. I make up a batch of granola each weekend and it lasts the entire week. Whether served over yogurt or eaten by the handful, it’s always enjoyed on a daily basis.
Since I had all of the basic ingredients still in my pantry, I decided to make a batch of these dried fruit granola bars too.
Once you’ve made your own granola or granola bars, it’s hard to go back to buying the pre-made versions. You truly can’t beat the taste of homemade and it’s so much cheaper to make your own.
These particular dried fruit granola bars are great for an afternoon snack and they’re ideal to pack in a lunchbox. I grab one or two in the mornings to enjoy with my coffee while I catch up on emails.
You may have many of the ingredients to make these granola bars already in your pantry. It’s a simple blend of oats, almonds, sunflower seeds and shredded coconut. I use this combination most often because it’s what I usually have on hand. What I love about this recipe is that you can easily add whatever nuts you happen to love instead.
After you’ve got the “dry” ingredients mixed, toss in the dried fruit. For these granola bars, I used dried figs, dried dates and raisins and I love this combination. Since making my Cuccidati (Sicilian Fig Cookies) and my buttery Fig and Walnut Scones, I’ve been baking with and snacking on figs and dates nonstop!
As with the nuts, feel free to substitute your favorite dried fruit. Although I love the taste of the figs, dates and raisins together there are so many other dried fruits that would be wonderful as well.
Personally, I love the combination of dried apples with raisins and walnuts and this combination makes a killer granola bar. Dried cranberries and pistachios also make a great combination and is especially pretty to serve during the holidays. This is the place to be creative, just remember to keep the dried fruit and nut amounts the same.
To hold the granola bars together, I heat a little butter, brown sugar and honey on the stove and mix it all together.
After the granola bars bake, I melt a cup of cinnamon chips in the microwave and spread some over the tops of the bars. This makes them completely irresistible!
These granola bars are soft and chewy, not hard and crunchy and they will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge.
Dried Fruit Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup cinnamon chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
- Toss the olatmeal, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Stir halfway through the baking time.
- Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
- Place the butter, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
- Pour the oatmeal, almonds and coconut into a large bowl.
- Pour the melted butter/honey mixture over the oat mixture. Add the dates, figs, raisins and sunflower seeds and stir well.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown.
- Cool for at least 2 hours before cutting into squares.
- Place the cinnamon chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at medium for 45 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at medium an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted when stirred.
- Using a knife or the back of a spoon, spread the melted cinnamon chips over each granola square. Place the squares onto parchment until set.
I love granola bars for breakfast and I bet the fruit would be tasty too.
I just love making my own homemade granola, but I haven’t tried making granola bars yet. 🙂 Your’s looks delicious!
Homemade granola is the best, Carrie and granola bars are just as easy to make. Thanks so much!