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Easy Nut-Free Strawberry Granola Bars

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A chewy, nut-free granola bar recipe using seeds and freeze-dried strawberries, perfect for allergy-friendly snacking and quick, wholesome treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (135g)
  • ½ cup sunflower seeds (70g)
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds (60g)
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds (20g)
  • ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries (30g)
  • ⅓ cup honey (113g) (can substitute maple syrup for vegan)
  • ¼ cup sunflower seed butter (64g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
  2. Toast sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and rolled oats in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly golden.
  3. In a large bowl, combine toasted oats and seeds, chia seeds, freeze-dried strawberries, baking powder, and sea salt. Stir gently to mix evenly.
  4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, warm sunflower seed butter and honey for 20-30 seconds until soft but not hot. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and fold carefully with a rubber spatula until everything is coated and sticky.
  6. Transfer mixture to prepared pan and press firmly and evenly using the back of a spatula or lightly wet hands.
  7. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are golden and top feels set but slightly soft. Avoid overbaking.
  8. Cool completely in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Use parchment overhang to lift slab out onto a cutting board.
  9. Slice into 8 or 10 bars with a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Notes

Use raw, unsalted sunflower and pumpkin seeds for best flavor. Warm sunflower seed butter slightly if too stiff. Press mixture firmly into pan to avoid crumbly bars. Substitute maple syrup or agave nectar for vegan version. Use certified gluten-free oats to keep recipe gluten-free. Freeze-dried fruit keeps bars from becoming soggy. Store bars in airtight container; freeze individually wrapped for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: nut-free granola bars, strawberry granola bars, seed-based snacks, chewy granola bars, allergy-friendly snacks, healthy snacks, homemade granola bars

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/easy-nut-free-strawberry-granola-bars-recipe-perfect-for-chewy-seed-based-snacks/