Chewy Ginger Granola Bars

With both my adult children back in my house, we go through a lot of granola bars for snacks and breakfast. Finding gluten-free granola bars has been a challenge. Finding inexpensive gluten-free granola bars has been near impossible. I created this recipe (i.e. stole and modified) to provide my boys a healthier snack that won’t break my budget. Now, if I could only stop eating them myself…

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1 cup puffed brown rice
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• ¼ cup diced candied ginger
• 2 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
• 2 tablespoons mild liquid sweetener (e.g. honey, sorghum syrup, agave, corn syrup)
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons mild tasting oil (e.g. canola, coconut, corn)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Grease a 9″x9″ square baking dish.
2. In large mixing bowl, combine oats, puffed rice, flaxseed, and candied ginger.
3. Simmer molasses, liquid sweetener, brown sugar, and oil over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
4. Pour liquid sweetener into dry ingredients, mixing gently so that everything is covered. Using the back of a spatula, press mixture into the baking dish.
5. Refrigerate for about an hour. Remove from refrigerator and cut into 16 squares. Wrap each in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes 16 bars.

NUTRITION

Per bar: 103.8 calories, 1.5g fiber, 3.1g fat, 1.7g protein