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    Home » Recipes » Bars & Slices

    Published: Apr 12, 2016 · Modified: May 16, 2023 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 4 Comments

    Cherry Almond Granola Bars

    5 from 5 votes
    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Cherry Almond Granola Bars

    Easy Cherry Almond Granola Bars that can be enjoyed raw or baked. Packed with chewy dried cherries, crunchy almonds, wholesome oats, and seeds they make the perfect healthy snack or on-the-go breakfast.

    Cherry Almond Granola Bars

    Healthy snack incoming! These delicious Cherry Almond Granola Bars are easy to make, full of wholesome ingredients, and they can be enjoyed raw or baked.

    If you like a softer raw granola bar then the no-bake version is for you, and if you prefer a toastier, nuttier, chewier bar then go for the baked version. Either way they are delicious!

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How To Make Cherry Almond Granola Bars
    • Flavour Variations
    • More Cherry Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Reviews & Questions

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Oats - These should be rolled oats or old-fashioned oats (porridge oats in the UK).
    • Almond butter - The best choice if you want to keep up the almond theme/flavours, but technically any nut or seed butter such as peanut butter, sun butter, or tahini will work.
    • Maple syrup - This adds the best flavour but agave, brown rice syrup, or golden syrup can be used instead.
    • Applesauce - The best choice flavour-wise, but mashed banana, canned pumpkin, or mashed sweet potato will also work.
    • Ground flax - Helps to hold the bars together.
    • Chia seeds - These are nice to add in for their nutritional value but you could use more ground flax instead.
    • Salt - This is recommended for the best flavour but it can be omitted.

    You will also need an 8 x 8-inch pan, although if you half the recipe you can use a loaf pan instead.

    How To Make Cherry Almond Granola Bars

    These healthy granola bars are really easy to make. Simply combine all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, then press into a parchment paper-lined pan. Refrigerate for a few hours to set then enjoy, or bake until golden and toasty. The choice is yours.

    Flavour Variations

    These granola bars are really pantry-friendly. As long as you keep the base recipe the same you can switch out the cherry and slivered almond for roughly the same amount of any mix-ins. Some ideas include chocolate chips, puffed rice, raisins, chopped dates, chopped apricots, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.

    More Cherry Recipes

    • 2 vegan cherry muffins
      Vegan Cherry Muffins
    • a jar of cherry overnight oats
      Cherry Overnight Oats
    • a jar of Black Forest Overnight Oats
      Black Forest Overnight Oats
    • vegan mincemeat
      Vegan Mincemeat

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe

    cherry almond granola bars on parchment paper

    Cherry Almond Granola Bars

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 5 votes
    Easy Cherry Almond Granola Bars that can be enjoyed raw or baked. Packed with chewy dried cherries, crunchy almonds, wholesome oats, and seeds they make the perfect healthy snack or on-the-go breakfast.
    PRINT PIN SAVE Saved!
    PREP TIME: 10 minutes minutes
    COOK TIME: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 12 bars

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup (60 mls) maple syrup
    • 1 cup (240 ml) almond butter , or seed butter for nut-free
    • ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened applesauce
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1½ cups (135 grams) rolled oats
    • 1 cup (120 grams) slivered almonds
    • 1 cup (120 grams) dried cherries
    • 4 tablespoons ground flax seeds
    • 4 tablespoons chia seeds

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • USA Pan 8 x 8 Cake Pan
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    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • These bars can be eaten raw or they can be baked. If you wish to bake them preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper. Make sure a little hangs over the sides so you can lift the bars out easily when ready.
    • Put maple syrup, almond butter, applesauce, and salt into a large bowl and stir together so it's well combined and smooth.
    • Pour in the oats, cherries, almonds, flax, and chia.
    • Stir together really well. It is a very stiff mixture so is a little difficult to stir.
    • Spoon into the prepared pan and press down really well all over with a spatula or a clean hand.
    • If you do not wish to bake the granola bars then cover the pan with cling wrap or foil and place in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours.
    • If you are baking them place in the preheated oven and cook for 22 to 25 minutes. Remove when the edges start to go golden brown.
    • Leave to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before lifting out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
    • Cut into 12 even pieces then store in an airtight container in the fridge.

    NOTES

    Half the recipe to make the bars in a loaf pan instead of an 8 inch square pan. 
    Storage - Once completely cool store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. They can also be stored in a freezer for up to 3 months.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 103mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Rate it & leave feedback in the comments section below. I love seeing your remakes too. Tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram! 🌟
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      Recipe Rating




    1. CJ says

      July 11, 2023 at 3:16 pm

      Hi Mel. Could the syrup be omitted?

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        July 11, 2023 at 3:35 pm

        I think they need that little bit of sweetness. You can use agave, brown rice syrup, or golden syrup instead of the maple syrup. If you did omit it you would need to compensate in some way as the mixture will be drier. Maybe more applesauce or nut butter? I've never tried them without though so whether it will affect how well they hold together I don't know.

        Reply
    2. Sunny says

      July 11, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Thank you, Mel
      I just got your cookbook yesterday and you had me at 'first, we brunch...' which has to be one of my favourite meals.
      Going to make these almond cherry bars later today because almonds and cherries and oats. 😋 plus no bake.
      Thanks again

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        July 11, 2023 at 10:58 am

        Love a good brunch! Hope you enjoy cooking from the book, and these granola bars too. Thank you for your support Sunny!

        Reply

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