Dark Chocolate Chunk Quinoa Granola Bars

Ingredients

• •1 cup old-fashioned oats
• •1 cup quinoa
• •1 cup almonds
• •1 cup shredded coconut
• •½ cup wheat germ
• •3 tablespoons coconut oil
• •⅔ cup honey
• •¼ cup brown sugar
• •1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• •¼ teaspoon salt
• •½ cup dates
• •¼ cup cherry-flavored dried cranberries
• •½ cup dark chocolate chips
• •1 tablespoon butter

Method

Adapted from foodista.com

1. 1Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. 2Butter an 8 x 12 in glassbaking dish (or a similar size) and line it with parchment paper.
3. 3Combine the oats, quinoa, almonds, and coconut together on an unlined baking pan.
4. 4Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring every 4 minutes.
5. 5Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl.
6. 6Stir in the wheat germ.
7. 7Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
8. 8Place the oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan.
9. 9Heat over medium heat.
10. 10Bring to a boil (the mixture will start foaming) Once boiling, cook for 60 seconds, stirring constantly.
11. 11Pour the syrup over the toasted oatmeal mixture.
12. 12Add the dates and craisins.
13. 13Stir well.
14. 14Stir in the dark chocolate chunks, because the mixture is so warm, you will find some of the chocolate melting.
15. 15Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
16. 16Gently, but firmly press the mixture evenly into the pan using your fingers.
17. 17Bake for 20 minutes, or until the granola is a light golden brown color.
18. 18Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before removing from the pan and cutting into squares.
19. 19Store in an airtight container at room temperature!