Natural Granola Bars

 

Natural Granola Bars

1/2 cup agave syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy
2 tsp. pure vanilla
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour*
1 1/2 cups rolled oats*
1/2 cup oat bran*
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 tsp. coriander, ground
1 tsp. mineral salt
1 1/2 cups dates, pitted, chopped
1/4 cup water (as needed)

Mix agave syrup and peanut butter together and warm over low heat, stirring well.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, oats, oat bran, pecans, coconut, seeds, coriander, and salt.  Add the agave/peanut butter mixture and stir until all ingredients are moistened.  Add dates.  Press into a baking pan and sprinkle with more water if mixture seems too dry.

Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned (about 20 minutes).  Do not overbake.

Remove from heat and allow to cool in pan.  Cut into bars.  Serve or wrap individually and freeze until ready to use.

*For a gluten-free version, replace whole wheat pastry flour with a blend of gluten-free flours (amaranth, millet, etc.).  Replace oats with certified gluten-free oats and oat bran with brown rice bran.