Apricot and Flax Oat Granola Bars

⏳ Time

40 minutes

🥕 Ingredients

🍽️ Servings

Description

These bars can even be frozen. They hold up well when stored in the refrigerator. You should use quick-cooking oats, such as 'Extra,' or else they will be tough to chew. You could add nuts, but that would overshadow the pure apricot flavor. The flax is more for its health benefits.

Ingredients

Honey - 2 spoons
Oat flakes - 3.5 oz
Fructose - 2 spoons
Flaxseeds - 1½ spoons
Dried Apricots - 4 pieces
Bran - 0.7 oz
Applesauce - 3.5 oz
Baking Powder - ½ spoons
Salt - a pinch

Step by Step guide

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the oats with flaxseeds, bran, and finely chopped dried apricots (if the apricots are tough, you can soak them in warm water for seven to ten minutes, then drain in a colander). Add the baking powder, fructose, and salt. Mix well.

Step 2

Warm the honey until it becomes liquid, then add it to the oats along with the applesauce. Mix well. The mixture should be very thick, dry, and easily break apart into pieces. The oats should be slightly moistened, not wet or sticky.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 356°F. Line a large baking tray with a sheet of baking paper (it's even better to use parchment paper sold at stationery stores), grease it with vegetable oil, and spread the oat mixture on top.

Step 4

Spread the mixture evenly onto the paper in a layer about 1 cm thick. To achieve a uniform layer, you can use a flat-bottomed plate or, even better, a cutting board to gently press the granola down. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for half an hour.

Step 5

Remove the baking tray from the oven and, while the mixture is still warm, score it with a knife to later cut the layer into bars — after cooling, they will firm up slightly and have a consistency similar to toffee. Use a sharp knife to cut the cooled layer into neat rectangular pieces.