Bready or Not Original: No-Bake Almond Granola Bars
These no-bake breakfast/snack bars use straightforward, delicious ingredients to make a likewise delicious bar.
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Keyword: almond, maple, no bake, oats
Author: Beth Cato
Equipment
9x9 pan
aluminum foil
nonstick spray
food processor
waxed paper
heavy glass
Ingredients
1cupsalmonds or buy pre-chopped almonds
2cupsquick-cooking oats
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
1/2teaspoonfine sea saltreduce if using regular table salt or salted nut butter
1 1/2cupscreamy almond butter
1/2cupmaple syrup or honey
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
Instructions
Line a 9x9 square pan with foil and apply nonstick spray.
If the almonds are whole, give them a rough chop in food processor, just a few pulses.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, and salt, and stir to blend. If the almond butter is stiff, measure it into a separate microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 20-30 seconds to soften it. Add almond butter, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla extract to the big bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir together until it forms a cohesive mass. If it seems too liquid, add more oats; if it's too dry, add more almond butter. Stir in the chopped almonds to distribute them throughout.
Dump the mixture into the prepared pan. Even out some, then use a pan-size piece of wax paper and a heavy glass to compress the dough evenly.
Stash the pan in the fridge for at least an hour, or until the next day. Slice into bars of desired size. Store between stacked waxed paper layers in the fridge, or freeze for later enjoyment.