These healthy granola bars are a perfect on-the-go snack for busy days, and they come together easily for stress-free, nutritious snacking for the whole family!
Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper so that it hangs over the sides (you can also use foil -- just be sure to give it a spray of cooking spray), and set aside.
Add the honey, coconut oil, and coconut sugar to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the oil melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Bring to a light bubbly simmer, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove the pan from the heat, add the vanilla and salt, and stir to combine.
Add the flax meal, and stir to combine.
Add the oats and any extras you'd like, and stir to combine.
Place all of the oat mixture in the prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula or the bottom of a greased measuring cup to press the mixture firmly into the pan (press it well -- this will help the bars stick together when cut).
If you are adding chocolate, wait about 15 minutes for the mixture to cool a bit before adding the chocolate to the top of the bar, and press the chocolate firmly into the bars with the bottom of a measuring cup.
Chill the granola bars in fridge for at least 1 hour.
Lift the bars from the pan using the edges of the foil or parchment, and place them on a cutting board. Cut into desired shape/sizes and serve.
Extras are best stored in the fridge with layers of parchment paper in between them.
Notes
You can double this recipe and place it in a 9x13 inch pan or you can put a single batch in a 9x9 pan, they'll just be a bit thinner.
Use a combination of sticky binders like honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup along with a nut butter (like almond butter or peanut butter). This helps hold the granola bars together.
Start with good quality oats (old-fashioned rolled oats work best), nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Choose ingredients that you enjoy and that complement each other in terms of flavor and texture!
Thoroughly mix the dry ingredients together before adding the wet ingredients. This ensures an even distribution of flavors and helps prevent clumps of certain ingredients.