Date Syrup and Candy-Apple Granola Bars
Photo Credit: Aaron Colussi

Date Syrup and Candy-Apple Granola Bars

Date syrup is a great natural-sugar alternative in these yummy, easy-to-make granola bars.

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Date Syrup and Candy-Apple Granola Bars

Date syrup is a great natural-sugar alternative in these yummy, easy-to-make granola bars.
Course: Snack
Keyword: candy apple, coconut oil, goji berries, granola, granola bars, oats
Servings: 15 bars
Calories: 260kcal

Ingredients

Date Syrup:

  • 2 pounds dried dates, pitted
  • 8 cups water

Candy Apple Granola Bars:

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • ¾  cup walnuts, chopped
  • ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup ground flaxseed
  • 4 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ¼ cup honey
  • cups date syrup
  • ½ cup dried apples, chopped (use kitchen shears to cut into pieces)
  • ¼ cup dried goji berries
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup almond butter

Instructions

Date Syrup:

  • Chop dates using kitchen shears. Place dates and water in a saucepan, simmer 30 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cool, and then transfer to blender or food processor; blend until smooth.
  • Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth. Pour date puree through. Pull sides of cheesecloth together, and twist to press out as much liquid as possible.
  • Put liquid back into saucepan, and simmer until it thickens, about 20 minutes. Cool before using. Date syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few weeks.
  • For baking, use 2/3 cup date syrup for every 1 cup granulated sugar, and reduce liquid in recipe.

Candy Apple Granola Bars:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper, leaving excess hanging over sides for easy removal later. Also line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Spread oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed on baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes, or until oats begin to brown. Remove from oven, let cool, and add to a large mixing bowl.
  • In a small saucepan, combine coconut oil, honey and date syrup. Simmer 2–4 minutes. Let mixture cool.
  • Add apples, goji berries, cinnamon and salt to mixing bowl with oats. Stir ingredients together. Add almond butter and date-syrup mixture. Stir until everything is well-coated. You may need to get your hands in there!
  • Press into prepared baking dish. Use another piece of parchment paper on top to pack mixture down, and press it into the corners.
  • Chill in refrigerator 1 hour before removing from baking dish to cut into bars.

Notes

To make sauce, place diced cucumber in a colander; press out excess water with piece of paper towel. Place cucumbers in a bowl, add all ingredients, and stir well.

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 81mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 15g
Tried this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

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