Description
These Crunchy Granola Heart Bars are a delicious and wholesome snack made from rolled oats, almonds, honey, and coconut oil, baked to golden perfection and finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate and dried cranberries. Perfect for a healthy treat or breakfast on the go, these bars combine natural sweetness and nutty crunch with a festive twist of heart shapes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the granola bars.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats and chopped almonds, ensuring even distribution of the nuts throughout the oats.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the honey and coconut oil until fully melted and combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt to enhance flavor.
- Mix Ingredients: Pour the warmed honey and coconut oil mixture over the oats and almonds. Stir thoroughly until all dry ingredients are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
- Form the Bars: Transfer the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and press it down firmly to create an even, compact layer which will help the bars stick together.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown, indicating it is cooked through and crunchy.
- Cool Completely: Allow the baked granola mixture to cool fully on the baking sheet. This step is crucial for the bars to firm up and hold their shape.
- Cut into Shapes: Once cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the granola into fun heart bars, or slice as preferred.
- Decorate: Drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the heart-shaped granola bars and sprinkle with chopped dried cranberries for added flavor and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Ensure the granola mixture is pressed down firmly before baking to help the bars hold together when cut.
- Cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Storage: Keep granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- You can substitute almonds with other nuts like walnuts or pecans based on preference.
- For a nut-free version, omit the almonds and add extra oats or seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
