Sweet & Salty, Chewy Granola Bars

Mmmmmmm...let me just try another one to make sure they are really THAT good...

Yup.  Best granola bars ever! 

 

Stop buying packaged crap to fuel your body and start whipping up batches of these golden chewy bites of goodness.  It will quite literally take you 5 minutes to make these.  Time yourself...and let me know what you think!  I am pretty sure you will never waste your money and compromise your health on processed granola bars that come in shiney packages and are loaded with refined sugars, nasty oils and things you can't even pronounce.  If you are ready to start making your own NRG - check out my little cookbook for more ideas!

Ready?  Go granola bars go!

Sweet & Salty Chewy Granola Bars
Get a big bowl and a wooden spoon to mix the stuff.
Get a little pot on the stove to warm up your sweet/sticky liquids.
Get an 11*7 pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper to put the mix in.
Grab these ingredients (and don't be afraid to substitute for what you like/have!  Almonds for pecans, dried dates/figs for mixed fruit, peanut butter for almond butter)...

• .5 cup chopped pecans
• 1.5 cups whole rolled oats 
• 1 cup dried, non sweetened coconut
• .5 cup dried fruit (Colstco has an awesome organic mixed dried fruit bag right now that I used- cherries, blueberries oh my!)
• .5 cup dark chocolate chips- if you like chocolate:)
• .5 cup almond butter
•  .5 to .75cup maple syrup 
• 1 tsp vanilla (or .5 tsp almond extract for a different flavour!)
• .5 to 1tsp salt.  I use the whole teaspoon to get the extra sodium I need for endurance training- up to you how much you need!  Makes them sweet and salty tho...

1. Combine all dry ingredients in the big bowl with the wooden spoon;).
2. Mix the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla and salt in the pot until smooth (low heat).
3. Add wet to dry and mix until combined well. Not sticky enough?  Add more nut butter and maple syrup if needed.
4. Press into the lined pan - wet hands and press firmly to ensure they stick together!
5. Freeze or refridgerate until solid...then cut into 24 bars.
6. Store in the freezer.

Great for breakfast on the run, a healthy snack or fuel during your endurance activities!

Enjoy!