Homemade Granola Bars

Simple, tasty, and full of fiber and protein, these granola bars are the perfect afternoon snack.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole natural almonds

2 cups old fashioned oats

3/4 cup shredded coconut

3 tbsp. butter

1/4 brown sugar

2/3 cup honey

1 & 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup dry oat bran

1 cup chopped dried fruit (I mostly use dates, but cranberries, raisins, and cherries have all worked well)

Coarsely chop the almonds.

Line a 9x13 with parchment paper, and fill with the oats, coconut, and almonds. Toast in oven at 350, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small pot, bring the butter, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

In a large bowl, mix together the toasted oat mixture with the oat bran.

Pour in the melted butter, sugar, honey mixture, and mix well. Then, stir in the dried fruit.

Pour back into the 9x13 lined with parchment paper, and firmly pack down. Bake at 300 for 30-35 minutes.

Allow to cool for 3 hours, before cutting into bars. Store in an air tight container or plastic baggies, with bars divided by strips of parchment paper. These keep for about a week...if they're not eaten up by then!