Easy Vegan Granola Bars

I know you have been waiting for this moment! The waiting is over! I am introducing a new original recipe here today, Easy Vegan Granola Bars! They are absolutely perfect for snacking or for a pre/post workout fix! I made these specifically to bring to a volleyball tournament Jaimee and I had this weekend, and they were perfect! Even our teammates enjoyed them!

Easy Vegan Granola Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Yields: 16 granola bars


Ingredients:

-Medjool dates (15 large)
-2 tbs agave (maple syrup or honey {non-vegan} also work)
-1 tbs peanut butter (unsalted all-natural is preferred)
-2 handfuls almonds (roughly chopped)
-1/3 cup almond milk (or any non-dairy milk you prefer)
-2 cups rolled oats (gluten free is optional)

Steps:
1) Preheat oven to 350 F
2) Start by pitting your 15 dates and food process them until they form a sticky ball
3) Next, add the agave to the mix and process for a few seconds until combined
4) Add the almond milk slowly and continue processing
5) Finally, add the peanut butter and finish processing and scrape mixture into a medium sized bowl

6) Set the mixture aside and start to roughly chop the almonds

7) Pour oats and nuts into the bowl containing the date mixture and fold the ingredients together using a large spoon (make sure the ingredients are well combined)

8) Line a baking tin with parchment paper (or grease the pan with coconut oil) and leave in the oven to bake

9) OPTIONAL: TAKE THE GRANOLA BARS OUT OF THE OVEN 10 MINUTES BEFORE FINISHED AND TOP WITH A FLAX, CHIA SEED MIX & RAW BUCKWHEAT FOR GARNISH AND EXTRA CRUNCH. PRESS SEEDS INTO THE DOUGH AND THEN PLACE BACK IN OVEN AND CONTINUE TO BAKE FOR REMAINING 10 MINUTES!

10) Remove finished product from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes in order to set, then cut into 16 yummy bars!

Enjoy!

-Valentina & Jaimee xx

Vegan Cinnamon Buckwheat Clusters

Buckwheat. Regardless of whether you've been cooking for ten years or two minutes, surely you've heard of this vegan staple. It is known to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, increase blood flow, prevent gallstones, is chock full of magnesium and fiber, gluten-free, wheat-free...shall I continue?

One of the most astounding things, to me, is the fact that this tiny seed has so much protein. In fact, one cup of buckwheat contains 23 mg of protein. If you're a woman, that's two more milligrams than your daily recommended value. This seed is so healthy that it is constantly appearing on "Top 5 Superfoods" and "Healthiest Foods" lists.
So, where can you find this tiny seed? Surely it can't be cheap.
Alas, you are wrong!
Whole Foods sells raw buckwheat groats in the bulk section, but if you don't have a WF near you there is no reason to fret! You can easily find these superfood seeds online or at a local store near you.
Now, time for a way to use these beauties!

Vegan Cinnamon Buckwheat Clusters
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:
-1 cup raw buckwheat groats
-1/3 cup agave nectar
-2 tsp coconut sugar
-1 tsp pure ground cinnamon

Steps:
1) Preheat the oven to 300 F
2) In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients

3) Mix with a spoon until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. This should not be a long process, but it must be well done to ensure all the groats are thoroughly coated in the mixture.

4) Spread the coated groats over parchment paper on a baking sheet. Make sure there is only a single layer of the groats.

5) Bake for 25-30 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want the clusters. If you want them crunchier, bake for 30 minutes. If you want them less crunchy bake for 25 minutes. 

6) Upon taking out of the oven, you'll need to almost immediately take out a spatula and begin lifting them up. Because the mixture is so sticky, once it begins drying it will stick horribly to the paper and cause you a mess! I simply took the back of the spatula and scraped it along the groats, lifting them in the process. 

7) In this shape, allow the groats 5-10 minutes to cool. After that, scrape them into a container and store for safekeeping! 

Your end result should be tiny, breakable clusters. You can use them to top delicious banana icecream bowls, on top of your yogurt as a granola, as a topping for your morning oatmeal, or even sprinkled over fruit for an afternoon treat. Regardless of how you end up using these delicious, warming, cinnamon-infused clusters, one thing is sure: you will love them!