homemade fruity granola bars
Makes 16 granola bars Making snacks at home is an easy way to control the ingredients that go into our foods, and granola bars are one of the easiest recipes. We’ve included an assortment of dried fruit that we really love, but you substitute any of your favorites. Add 1/4 cup of peanut butter if…

CIA FOODIES

Homemade Fruity Granola Bars

Makes 16 granola bars Making snacks at home is an easy way to control the ingredients that go into our foods, and granola bars are one of the easiest recipes. We’ve included an assortment of dried fruit that we really love, but you substitute any of your favorites. Add 1/4 cup of peanut butter if you love that flavor!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 cups rolled oats, gluten-free, if needed
  • 1 cup dark or golden raisins (or a combination of both, if you like)
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped dried pears or apples
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped dried apricots
  • 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons flax seeds

Directions

  1. Spray a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with vegetable oil. Cut a piece of parchment paper to cover the bottom of the pan and smooth it into place. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the oil, honey, brown sugar, orange zest, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the oats, raisins, cranberries, pears, apricots, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and flax seeds. Add the oil and honey mixture and stir until the ingredients are combined and well coated.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and, using a rolling pin, press it down to make it level and of a uniform thickness.
  5. Bake until the top begins to brown, about 35 minutes. Rotate the tray halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven, place on a wire cooling rack, and allow to cool completely. Using a sharp knife, cut into 2 1/2- by 3-inch bars.

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