Build-A-Granola-Bar

I have been experimenting recently with some tried-and-true recipes. I have been looking for ways to make more HEALTHY RECIPE VARIATIONS. I took my Dried Fruit Flavored Granola Bars and substituted "flax seed eggs" for the eggs to make the granola bars Gluten Free and VEGAN.

The picture depicts a CHEWY VEGAN and GLUTEN FREE version of the Granola Bar. If you wish a chewy bar...cook until the edges of the granola bar begin to turn a golden brown. If you wish a crunchy bar cook a bit longer until the entire pan begins to turn golden.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup flax seed meal or ground flaxseed
• 1/2 cup almond flour or hazelnut flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tsp cinnamon/vanilla/maple/almond/coconut extract (the flavoring you wish to go with the stir-ins)
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 flax seed eggs
• 1/2 cup olive, walnut, or coconut oil
•  Spray for the 9 x 12 pan (olive oil or coconut oil)

STIR-INS:

• 1/2 cup diced dried fruit (no sulfur dioxide - read side effects in some people - or sugar added is best), mini dark chocolate chips, or chopped nuts
• 1 tsp cinnamon/vanilla/maple/almond/coconut extract (the flavoring you wish to go with the above stir-ins)

Instructions:

• Preheat Oven to 350
• Begin by creating the flax seed eggs. I took 2 TBSP ground flax seeds and combined them with 6 TBSP water. I let them sit for about 5 minutes (mixing half way through) to create an egg-like consistency
• Add the dry ingredients and mix into the flax eggs
• Add the honey,  oil, and stir-ins and mix
• Spray a glass baking dish and add the granola mixture
• Press firmly into the pan with a spatula
• Bake to desired texture

Have fun...play with your food...make each batch a little different!