SUPERFOOD GRANOLA BARS

Superfood Granola Bars image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 3h45m

Yield 20 bars

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup salted roasted almonds, chopped
1/3 cup roasted pepitas
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
Nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup dried blueberries
1/3 cup dried goji berries
1/3 cup toasted quinoa
2 tablespoons chia seeds

Steps:

For the base: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toss the oats with the butter on a rimmed baking sheet and spread in an even layer. Bake until toasted, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely, then transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the almonds, pepitas and walnuts.
For the bars: Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang. Coat the foil with cooking spray.
Combine the sugar, butter, honey, vanilla and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally; the mixture will bubble and foam. Boil for 30 seconds, then pour over the oat mixture and stir. Let cool slightly, then stir in the blueberries, goji berries, quinoa and chia seeds. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly with a rubber spatula to spread in an even layer.
Let the bars stand at room temperature until completely cool and firm enough to slice, 1 to 3 hours. Lift out of the pan using the foil overhang and cut into 20 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.