Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars

These nut-free Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars are here to satisfy your mid-afternoon snack attack!

So I’m definitely on a nut-free snack kick lately. Last week, it was these Dark Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites, and this week it’s these Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars. No worries, there will be more nutty recipes soon, but for now, I’m enjoying the seed and dried fruit combos! They’re filling and wholesome, and perfect snacks for those with nut allergies or to pack for school lunches.

So before I jump into the recipe, I should probably acknowledge that Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! And while others are sharing delicious recipes for brownies, cakes and homemade chocolates, I’m serving you up superfood granola bars. I know, you must be wondering what’s wrong with her?! 😉

Well, there’s a method to my madness. While chocolate treats and fancy meals are definitely high priority for Valentine’s Day (at least for me!), we also need some healthy snacks to get us through the day. And these Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars are just that snack!

These bars are loaded with rolled oats, quinoa, goji berries, maca powder and dark chocolate. So you know they have lots of fibre and protein, and even some extra vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from the goji berries and maca.

If you haven’t tried maca powder, you can find it in the organic section of your grocery or bulk food store. It contains several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, and has a caramel, malt-like flavour. Many people use it in smoothies and lattes, and even in baking. So given the health benefits and the flavour, I decided to add a tablespoon of it to these Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars.

While these bars are packed with clean eating ingredients, they do have a little bit of refined sugar. To add a pop of red (along with the goji berries) for Valentine’s Day, I included dried strawberries, which have added sugar. You can totally sub in another type of dried fruit, but the strawberries add a nice chewy texture to the bars. And it’s a special day, so just go for it! Besides, the bars are finished off with a considerable amount of dark chocolate drizzle, so you might as well go all in! 😉

If you make these bars, let me know how they turn out by taking a pic and sharing on Instagram. Just make sure to tag @crumbtopbaking so I’ll see it!

Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Leanne
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 17 minutes (plus cooling time)
• Yield: 8-10 bars
• Category: Snacks

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Description

Oatmeal Superfood Granola Bars are nut-free and loaded with clean eating ingredients like rolled oats, quinoa, goji berries, maca powder and dark chocolate! Perfect for school lunches and mid-day snacks!

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Ingredients

• 1–1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup tricolour quinoa, uncooked
• 1/2 cup coconut chips, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried strawberries
• 1/2 cup dried goji berries
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp maca powder
• 1 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sunflower seed butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• Optional chocolate drizzle:
  • 3 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 tbsp virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil

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Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a rectangular tart pan (I used 14″x4″).
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa, coconut, strawberries, goji berries, cinnamon, maca powder and chocolate chips. Set aside.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, add the sunflower seed butter and honey and stir until well-combined and smooth. (You may need to microwave the mixture for 20-30 seconds so it’s soft enough to stir together).
4. Pour the mixture over the oatmeal mixture and stir for several minutes until well combined and sticky. (If your seed butter/honey mixture is still warm from the microwave, wait a few minutes before adding it to the oatmeal mixture so the chocolate chips don’t melt).
5. Firmly press the mixture into the prepared tart pan and bake for 12-13 minutes, or until the edges are browned.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 2-3 hours, or until the granola bars have firmed up.
7. Once firmed up, cut into 8-10 pieces. Melt the additional chocolate chips and coconut oil and drizzle over the bars. Place in the fridge until the chocolate is set. Store the bars on the counter in an airtight container and enjoy within 4-5 days, or freeze for later enjoyment!

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Notes

1. The granola bars will still be a bit soft when you remove them from the oven, but they will firm up as they cool in the pan. You should wait until they are firmed up before cutting into bars.