HAZELNUT GRANOLA BREAKFAST BARS

Simple, nutty, and chewy, hazelnut granola breakfast bars are great as a breakfast option, post workout snack or as an afternoon pick-me-up. They are packed with wholesome ingredients and healthy fats. Also, they are refined sugar free and sweetened only with dates and dried cranberries.

This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and super easy to make.

MEET THE INGREDIENTS

You can find a complete list of ingredients with exact amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

Dry roasted hazelnuts (check How to roast hazelnuts)
Gluten-free rolled oats – always make sure to buy certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid possible cross-contamination.
Dates
Dried cranberries
Quinoa puffs
Chia seeds
Coconut oil
Dark chocolate (85% cacao)

OATS AND A GLUTEN-FREE DIET

Most people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance can tolerate gluten-free oats with no problems. However, a small percentage of people may still react to avenin – a protein in oats similar to gluten. For these people, even certified gluten-free oats may be unsafe. If you develop any new symptoms after adding gluten-free oats to your diet, it’s best if you talk to your dietitian or a doctor.

Another problem can be cross-contamination. Even though oats are naturally gluten-free, they are often contaminated with gluten because they may be processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Therefore, if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, always make sure your oats are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination issues.

HOW TO MAKE IT

You can find a complete list of ingredients with exact amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

SOAKING DATES: Put pitted dates in a bowl and cover them with water. Soak at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

STEP 1

Line the square cake pan (22 x 22 cm or approx. 9 inch) with baking paper.

STEP 2

Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl.

STEP 3

Drain dates and place them into a high-speed blender. Add coconut oil and blend briefly until you get a thick paste.

STEP 4

Add date paste to the bowl with dry ingredients and stir well until combined or use a hand mixer.

STEP 5

Press the mixture down firmly into prepared pan. Place it in the fridge for a couple of hours to firm up.

STEP 6

Remove it from the pan and chop it into bars or squares.

SERVING SUGGESTION

Drizzle the slices with melted dark chocolate.

TIPS AND HOW-TOS

Dried cranberries: You can replace the dried cranberries with dried cherries, dried raisins, dried figs, dried currants…

Quinoa puffs: You can use millet or amaranth puffs instead.

HOW TO ROAST HAZELNUTS

Roasting hazelnuts deepens their flavor and gives them a crisper texture. Here is how to do it:

Preheat oven to 180 °C. Spread the hazelnuts in an even layer on the baking sheet. Place in oven and roast for 10-15 minutes. Stir or shake the tray every 5 minutes to help the hazelnuts to cook evenly.
When the hazelnuts are browned and smell nutty, remove from the oven, and immediately transfer onto a plate or another baking sheet.
Once they are cool enough, place them in a clean tea towel and gently rub together until most of the skins have come off.