Saturday, February 15, 2014

Gluten-Free Almond Berry Granola Bars

As much as we love Two Moms in the Raw granola bars, I don't think right now is the best time to be paying $8 for a pack of 4 granola bars. There has been an official moratorium placed on all Two Moms in the Raw purchases, and I'm getting creative with our snacks around here. It's so funny the things you realize were "splurges" when you are reduced to no income...fair to say it's been a bit of an eye opener. I mean, I realized those suckers were expensive, but they really are just that good people. Plus, healthy food is much more important to us than clothes or other extravagant purchases, and I will sacrifice pretty much anything to have our kitchen stocked with clean whole foods.

Previous to both hubby & I developing a crack-like addiction to Two Moms products, I'd been making my own granola bars for a few years with a recipe I invented. I just hadn't attempted to modify the recipe and make any since going gluten-free. I wanted to find a way though, since I can make 16 granola bars with my homemade recipe for less than $5. 16 Two Moms bars would cost $32, so yeah, pretty big difference, especially when we are each eating one per day. Our Two Mom's habit was becoming it's own monthly expense. Ha!

Enter Namaste gluten-free flour into my life! This stuff is pretty amazing...




You can buy a big ole bag at Costco for cheap, and the label touts that you can use it cup for cup in place of regular flour in any recipe. I've experimented with quite a few things thus far and am impressed. The brownie recipe listed on the bag is EXCELLENT, and now I can add another great use to the list...


Em's Gluten-Free Almond Berry Granola Bars
 















Ingredients:
-2 cups old fashioned oats
-1 cup gluten-free flour (or regular...up to you)
-5 oz. bag sliced almonds
-5 oz. bag dried fruit (I use blueberry, cherry or regular Craisins)
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-3/4 tsp. salt
-1/2 cup canola oil
-1/2 cup agave nectar
-2 tsp. vanilla extract
-2 egg whites

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients, including dried fruit. Mix together with large spoon or baking spatula.

Step 2: Add oil, agave, vanilla, and egg whites. Mix well.

Step 3: Spray a 9 x 13 in. baking dish with non-stick cooking spray . Spread mixture firmly and evenly into dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. (Makes soft & chewy granola bars).

Step 4: Store in airtight container. Makes 16 large bars or 32 smaller squares...you choose how big you want them.



I used to use whole wheat flour as well as wheat germ in this recipe, so I just replaced the flour, removed the wheat germ and added more almonds to make up for the reduction in dry ingredients. Worked like a charm. Seriously, these are the bomb!

I know there are quite a few people looking for healthy snacks, as well as those trying to go gluten-free. These are completely idiot proof...so easy to make and super easy clean-up. Just made some cherry almond today, and they smell scrumptious!

15 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I am SOO excited about this! My husband and I have been trying to find something like this, because those little bars can get SO expensive. My hubby was recently laid off and so we are totally trying to cut costs but also maintain a healthy (gluten free) diet. YAY, thank you so much for sharing!!!

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    1. Sorry to hear your hubby was also laid off Morgan. Sounds like we are in the same boat. Most GF and organic foods aren't exactly cheap, that is for sure. Please report back if you try these and let me know how you like them!

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  2. These sound good! Thanks for sharing a healthy recipe girl! xoxoxo

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  3. Em, you're a genius! I need more gluten-free snack options, and I don't like that the pre-packed options are (besides costly) full of preservatives and lacking pizzazz (although I haven't tried to brand you mentioned). I'm definitely going to make these! Thanks! XO

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    1. Yeah, GF packaged foods are expensive in general, but add to that an organic label and it's even more. I'm so excited for you to try these!

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    2. Tried these--used dried cranberries & pecans--DELISH! Thanks again lady!

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  4. Emily, not sure if you have ever made avocado chocolate mousse but it's the best thing I have ever tasted! Gluten free, dairy free and delicious! http://www.thehealthychef.com/2013/03/healthy-chocolate-mousse/

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    1. Love hiding healthy foods in otherwise unhealthy ones! Looks very interesting! Thanks Amy!

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  5. These look amazing I will have to try!! Thanks for sharing girl!!

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  6. These look so yummy... I've been making the same protein balls/bars for so long, and feel a little stuck in a rut! This recipe is just what I need! Thank you for sharing!

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  7. Can I just say how proud I am that in the midst of jobless woes, you guys still care about gluten free things enough to make your own! So awesome! I on the other hand drowned my woes in four gluten filled chocolate chip cookies last night... and I might repeat it tonight!

    Hope the husband gets some good news soon!!!

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  8. These look delish. Just pinned to Pinterest!!! :) I'll be making these too. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. OMG. These are delicious and so easy. I'm making my third batch, it's much healthier and cheaper than buying in the store. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. YAY! So glad you love them. Need to make some more myself here. Been alternating batches of blueberry, cherry, and regular craisins. Oh, and if you ever want to get really fancy you can throw in a few Ghirardelli white chocolate chips. I won't tell. ;)

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    2. Me too! I've done dried blueberries and strawberries and I sprinkle a little coconut on the top. Will definately consider the Ghirardelli! yum!

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