Homemade Granola Bars with Cocoa Drizzle and Dried Apricots Recipe
Introduction
These homemade granola bars are a perfect blend of crunchy oats, nuts, and a touch of sweetness, all topped with a rich cacao drizzle. They make a delicious and wholesome snack for any time of day.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Rice Krispies® Cereal
- 1/4 cup Pistachios
- 1 handful Dried Apricot
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon Chia Seeds
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- 2/3 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup 60% Cacao Chocolate Chips
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Coconut Oil
- 1 splash Coconut Milk
- Sea Salt to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Krispies® Cereal, unsweetened shredded coconut, dried apricot, and pistachios.
- Step 2: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Toast the rolled oats in the melted butter, then add them to the mixing bowl with the other dry ingredients.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, combine honey, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to combine all the components.
- Step 5: Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press the granola mixture firmly into the pan, covering the bottom and edges. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- Step 6: While the bars cool, prepare the cacao drizzle using a double boiler: bring a small pot of water to a boil and place a heatproof bowl on top.
- Step 7: Add the cacao chocolate chips, coconut oil, and a splash of coconut milk to the bowl. Stir frequently until smooth and fully melted.
- Step 8: Once the granola bars are cool, use a sharp serrated knife to slice them into bars.
- Step 9: Drizzle the melted cacao chocolate over the bars, then sprinkle with chia seeds and a pinch of sea salt. Refrigerate to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Step 10: Enjoy your homemade granola bars as a tasty and nutritious snack!
Tips & Variations
- Substitute pistachios with almonds or walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly sweetener option.
- For extra chewiness, add a handful of raisins or chopped dates along with the dried apricots.
- Press the mixture tightly into the pan to help the bars hold together better.
Storage
Store the granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen for longer storage. Reheat slightly before eating if you prefer a softer texture, or enjoy chilled for a firmer bite.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these granola bars gluten-free?
Yes, just ensure your rolled oats and rice cereal are certified gluten-free to avoid any gluten contamination.
How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?
Line the baking pan with parchment paper and press the mixture firmly into the pan. This will make it easy to lift the bars out without sticking.
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Homemade Granola Bars with Cocoa Drizzle and Dried Apricots Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
These homemade granola bars combine a crunchy mix of oats, Rice Krispies, pistachios, dried apricots, and coconut, bound together with a honey and brown sugar syrup. They’re baked to perfection and finished with a rich 60% cacao chocolate drizzle mixed with coconut oil and milk, then sprinkled with chia seeds and sea salt for a delicious, wholesome snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Rice Krispies® Cereal
- 1/4 cup Pistachios, chopped
- 1 handful Dried Apricot, chopped
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon Chia Seeds
- Sea Salt, to taste
Wet Ingredients & Syrup
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 2/3 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Chocolate Drizzle
- 1/2 cup 60% Cacao Chocolate Chips
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 1 splash Coconut Milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Mix Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the Rice Krispies cereal, shredded coconut, chopped dried apricots, and chopped pistachios.
- Toast Oats: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the old fashioned rolled oats and toast them lightly, stirring often until fragrant and slightly golden. Then add the toasted oats to the bowl with the other dry ingredients.
- Make Syrup: In the same skillet, combine honey, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the syrup over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to evenly coat all the components.
- Press and Bake: Line a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press the granola mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, making sure to spread it against the edges. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until set and lightly golden. Remove from oven and cool on a rack.
- Prepare Chocolate Drizzle: While the granola bars cool, create a double boiler by filling a small pot with water and bringing it to a boil. Place a heatproof bowl on top, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water. Add the chocolate chips, coconut oil, and coconut milk to the bowl. Stir frequently until smooth and melted.
- Slice Bars: Once the granola is cool, use a sharp serrated knife to slice into bars of your desired size.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Drizzle the melted chocolate mixture over the granola bars. Sprinkle chia seeds and sea salt evenly on top. Place the bars in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate drizzle is set, your homemade granola bars are ready to be enjoyed as a nutritious and delicious snack.
Notes
- Press the granola mixture firmly into the pan to ensure bars hold together well after baking.
- Chopping dried apricots and pistachios helps distribute flavors evenly throughout the bars.
- Use parchment paper to make removing the bars from the pan easier.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey and brown sugar according to your taste.
- The chocolate drizzle can be substituted with melted peanut butter or left off for a lighter option.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and maintain the chocolate drizzle texture.
- For a nut-free version, omit pistachios and consider adding pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: granola bars, homemade snack, healthy snack, granola recipe, chocolate drizzle, oats, dried apricot, pistachios
