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These homemade Trail Mix Granola Bars are easy to make with apricots, gluten free oats, brown rice cereal, pumpkin seeds and chocolate. A sweet, salty, chewy bar that’s naturally sweetened. A wholesome recipe for a nutritious snack or breakfast to go!
Oh hey, I’ve meant to post this Trail Mix Granola Bars recipe since April. As in, 2 months ago. Goodness! Too much going on, and I have a serious case of the “Mondays.” Only in this case, every day is Monday. It’s like groundhog day.
Lately there’s so much happening, I don’t know which direction to turn. No matter how much I prioritize, I never feel like I’m getting as much done as I would like.
It’s like climbing a mountain and never getting to the top (good thing I have Trail Mix Granola Bars to take with me). I was recently hired to create recipes for two new websites so busy has become my middle name, and food. I’ve got lots of food so come over!
Now that I’m finally done with 18 months of nutrition school I fell like I’m getting my life back, but I’m also with mixed emotions about what’s to come. I can’t say I’m thrilled about studying for my board exam, marketing myself, exploring career opportunities, etc.
Then there’s this awesome idea I have in my head for expanding my monthly meal plan into a weekly weight loss meal plan. So many ideas, so little time. Wish I could multiply myself!
But I’m thankful for you guys showing up here everyday and supporting me. That along with supportive blog friends who tell me when I need to take a much needed break, and my virtual assistant. Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without her. Probably cry!
She’s the best. I’ve been tossing more and more work at her and she always runs with it. If only I had 3 more of her! That said, I need a reset, break, vacation. Whatever you want to call it. Something to rejuvenate me, help me re-focus and gain perspective.
No matter what your problem or situation is, I truly believe stepping away from the day to day can help you see the bigger picture and figure things out. For me, it always helps me regain my passion and focus on what’s important. But before you escape from life, take a batch of these healthy trail mix bars with you!
Lately, they’ve been my go to snack. I’ve been working from Starbucks a lot and they’re convenient to have with you on the go especially now with summer vacations and outings. Perfect for afternoon snack attacks! These easy granola bars are made with my favorite cereal.
If you’ve done weight loss coaching with me, then you know cereal is a big watch out food I talk about in it because despite what most people think, it’s really a treat.
This puffed rice cereal is one of the best cereals I’ve ever had. I love it especially in these bars! It adds just the right amount of crunch. Paired with dried apricots, pumpkin seeds and chocolate it’s the perfect blend of sweet, salty and everything in between!
Trail Mix Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup apricots, thinly diced
- 3/4 cup ;Gluten Free rolled oats, or regular rolled oats
- 3/4 cup brown rice puffed cereal
- 1/2 cup Gluten Free oat flour, or regular oat flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips, or dairy free chocolate chips
- Optional: additional chocolate chips for drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare an 8-inch x 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper criss-crossed hanging over the edges for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the apricots, rolled oats, cereal, oat flour, ground chia seeds, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, baking powder, chocolate chips and salt.
- In a small bowl, combine the coconut oil and maple syrup then pour over the dry ingredients. Stir together fully covering the dry ingredients with the wet.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread with a spatula into an even layer.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the bars are lightly browned around the edges.
- Remove from the oven, cool completely, then refrigerate 4 hours until chilled. Once chilled remove from the oven and slice into 8 large bars.
- Optionally melt more chocolate chips and drizzle the chocolate on top of the bars.
Notes
- Nutritional value does not include optional chocolate drizzle.
- Store bars in a container in the refrigerator up to 10 days.
- My Amazon shop has more products similar to those used for this recipe and that I recommend to my nutrition clients.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Anything I could substitute for the brown rice puffed cereal?
Not really. You could try a rice cereal, but what the texture would be or how they would turn out.
These sound amazing!!! You think if I used almond flour instead of oat flour they would still hold together the same!?
I am dying to try!!!
I imagine they would. You probably need to use a little less almond flour as it’s less dense than oat.
My son would even love these!
I’m sure. They’re kid friendly!
Yummmmm!!!! You are getting a break soon, because we are going to VEGAS! oh ya there is a conference but who cares about that!
We are, but we need to make time for fun. Always too much work. Not enough play!
Hi! What nutrition program did you complete. I’m looking into options too!
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Nutrition Practitioner program.
Lots going on there! Yes, take time for you & let that assistant help!!!
I’m trying to do that!
These look delicious, I love the idea of apricots in a granola bar. I just bought some fresh apricots and am loving the flavor.
Apricots are soooo good!
Congrats on finishing up school! That means more time for creating salt-and-sweet granola bars in the kitchen (THE BEST)! Hope you’re enjoying your freedom these days! 🙂
Haha I don’t know if more food is good or bad? lol
Excellent add with the apricots. I feel like they are so underutilized.
I’m so glad that you found a VA that works (literally) for you! I remember us talking about you maaaybe getting one last summer, and you were hesitant to relinquish some of the hands on work. But I don’t think that you would survive otherwise! Big things to come for you, lady!!
I’m trying to relinquish things. It’s easier said than done!
I love to make granola bars all the time, but and hived out on using some of these awesome ingredients! The pumpkin seed and coconut flakes make this so delicious..plus the chocolate drizzle obviously.
Glad you liked them!