Pistachio Granola Bars

Still want to enjoy your mid-afternoon snack, but looking for a way to make it healthy? Search no further than the delicious Pistachio Granola Bars. These bars are packed with your favorite Green Nut and tons of sweet flavor, too. Enjoy your snack without the guilt!

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
• 2 cups pistachios, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, roasted
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Instructions

1. Spray a half sheet pan (17 x 12 inches) with food release and line with parchment paper.
2. Toss the oatmeal and coconut together, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove the oatmeal from the oven, and reduce the temperature to 300 degrees F.
4. Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt into a pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
5. Boil for 1 minute.
6. Toss the pistachios, apricots, cranberries and sunflower seeds together with the oatmeal mixture.
7. Pour the hot honey mixture over all, and stir to mix well.
8. Press the mixture into the half sheet pan using the base of a metal measuring cup to compact it.
9. Bake at 300 degrees F for 25 minutes.
10. Cool completely before cutting.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 37 min
Total time: 52 min

Nutritional Information: Calories 170, Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 3g, Monounsaturated Fat 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 100mg, Potassium 160mg, Total Carbohydrate 22g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 15g, Protein 3g

By FoodLife

Recipe and photo credit: Western Pistachio Association.