Chewy Healthy Baked Granola Bars

Let's be honest, finding a healthy chewy granola bar recipe is almost impossible. If they taste good they're loaded with sugar, if you actually make something labeled healthy... well you know it tastes healthy or seems to crumble to pieces. I've had success with some no bake bars but sometimes you just want that baked fragrant oatmeal taste. If possible use raw honey, so tasty and unlike most stuff you find in the stores raw honey actually has the good stuff still in it(anti bacterial, promotes digestive health, stabilizes blood sugar...the list goes on and on). If you want to know more take a look at this fascinating article by the Permaculture Research Institute .

But back to these tasty treats, filled with rolled oats, whole grain flour, flax meal, raw honey and your favorite nuts and dried fruits these bars hold together well, don't crumble when you take a bite and taste most delightful. To easily make these gluten free sub the whole wheat flour for oat flour or your favorite gluten free blend.

Yield 16 bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x9 inch pan with buttered parchment paper. 

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour or oat flour

1/2 cup flax meal

2/3 cup roasted and unsalted pecan pieces

1/4 dried cranberries or your favorite dried fruit
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

1/2 cup raw honey

3 T coconut sugar

2 T unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt (I prefer the pink Himalayan salt)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a large bowl combine the oats, flour, flax meal, pecans and dried fruit. In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the remaining ingredients. Stir until smooth and sugar has dissolved. Pour over oat mixture and stir until well mixed. Using buttered fingers press down into prepared pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until oats are lightly browned on the edges. Be careful not to over bake. Let cool at room temperature. Cut into desired pieces and store in an airtight container or in the fridge. 

We love to individual wrap these for easy grab and go snacks and breakfast on the run.