Nutty Granola Bites

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ cups (230g) rolled oats

½ cup (80g) FreshLife Natural Almonds

½ cup (60g) cranberries, roughly chopped

1 tbsp FreshLife Chia Seeds

2 tbsps chocolate chips

¼ cup (85g) honey

¼ cup (56g) butter

1/3 cup (66g) brown sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp salt

METHOD

• Pre-heat oven to 175°C. Line a 20cm square tin or baking dish with baking paper.

• Line two trays with baking paper and spread the oats over one tray and the almonds over the other. Bake for 5 minutes then stir and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove trays from the oven and allow to cool.

• Roughly chop the almonds then transfer the oats and almonds to a large bowl. Add the cranberries, chia seeds and 1 ½ tbsps of the chocolate chips and stir together well.

• Warm the honey, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a small saucepan over a low-medium heat, stirring until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.

• Pour the butter mixture over the oat mixture and mix together well. Transfer to the prepared tin, then using a piece of baking paper, firmly press the mixture into the tin (this is important as it will ensure that the bars stay together once cooled and cut).

• Scatter the remaining chocolate chips over the granola mixture and gently press them into the top.

• Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the mixture to firm up. Remove from the tin and cut into 15 bars.
Store bars in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze.