Gluten free and grain free eaters always need to come up with new snack ideas. There are very few commercial snacks that are actually made of real food. Here is a grain free, gluten free snack bar that is made without oats, yet is nutritious and delicious!
Many of the packaged gluten free items are made with lots of other grains and starches, sugars and additives in general that are not good at all. In an attempt to replicate the taste and mouth feel of wheat, these manufacturers concentrate on those issues rather than nutrition (as with most packaged foods in general). If you ever read the ingredient label of some of the packaged gluten free snacks (and other items) you will find lots of weird starches and additives.
It’s way too complicated for me!
Give me something with just a few real ingredients and I am much happier. And you will be too. These snack bars are nutrient rich, not too sweet, and fun for kids! They have been kid tested and they have passed!
Grain Free Coconut Apple Granola Bars
Ingredients
2 medium apples cored, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped raisins
2 Tbsp honey (or other sweetener) + 1/4 tsp stevia (where to buy sweeteners)
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (where to buy salt and spices)
1 cup blanched almond flour (where to buy)
1.5 cup crispy pecans (where to buy)
1 cup shredded coconut (where to buy)
Equipment
Food processor, various bowls (where to buy a food processor)
8 x 11 baking pan
Instructions
In the food processor, process the apples, raisins, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and salt until well mixed and remove to a bowl
Process the almond flour until it becomes a nut butter
Add back the first mixture and process all until smooth and mixed
Remove this batter from the processor into a bowl and place the pecans in the processor
Process until chopped finely but not too fine – use the pulse method
Add back the first mixture, plus the shredded coconut and process to just mix it all together
Spread the mixture into the baking pan
Try to get it even and smooth
Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 – 35 minutes or until browned on top and a toothpick comes out clean
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes