Description
These Cinnamon Chai Spice Granola Bars are a delicious and healthy snack infused with warm chai spices and a perfect balance of nuts, oats, and natural sweeteners. Easy to make and ideal for breakfast or an on-the-go treat, these bars combine wholesome ingredients like almonds, walnuts, shredded coconut, and dates with cozy spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves for a flavorful twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped dates or raisins
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the granola bars after baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, maple syrup, almond butter, and melted coconut oil. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and fully blended. Remove the saucepan from heat and mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix and coat all the dry ingredients thoroughly with the wet mixture.
- Add Dried Fruit: Gently fold in the chopped dates or raisins, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Press Mixture into Pan: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking pan. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into an even layer to help the bars hold together after baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out using the parchment paper and cut into 12 equal squares or rectangles.
Notes
- For extra crunch and deeper flavor, toast the oats and nuts in the oven for a few minutes before mixing them with the other ingredients.
- You can substitute almond butter with peanut butter if desired for a different nutty flavor.
- Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Feel free to add other nuts or dried fruits to customize the bars to your taste.
