Cherry Almond Granola Bars Simple and Healthy Snack

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup almond butter
• 0.5 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
• 0.5 cup sliced almonds
• 0.25 cup chia seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, sliced almonds, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
3. In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the almond butter and honey (or maple syrup) until they become a smooth mixture. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Pour the warm almond butter mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are coated evenly.
5. Add the chopped dried cherries and stir until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and press it down firmly with a spatula or your hands to create an even layer.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting out using the parchment paper overhang.
9. Let the granola bars cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, cut into bars or squares as desired.