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Plump, chewy dried cherries, crunchy almonds & wholesome oats & seeds make these Cherry Almond Granola Bars the perfect healthy snack or on the go breakfast. They are completely oil free, very lightly sweetened & come with bake or no bake options!

The beautiful cherry blossoms might be coming to an end but that means the fruit is on it's way which can only be a good thing. Not much can beat sweet, juicy, fresh cherries but when shopping recently I happened to spot the biggest, juiciest looking dried cherries I have ever seen in the bulk bins. I couldn't resist and came home with a great big bag of them.

I had never cooked with dried cherries before. I have no idea why as they are a wonderful ingredient and they pair just perfectly with the almonds and oats in these Cherry Almond Granola Bars.

These Granola Bars are extremely easy to make and once mixed up, can be set up in the fridge then eaten raw, or baked in the oven. The choice is yours. They are good both ways. I prefer them baked as they get a nuttier, toasty flavour and delicious crispy, chewy bits but if you are following a raw food diet, or prefer a softer granola bar then the unbaked version will be great for you.

The finished Cherry Almond Granola Bars are perfect for lunch boxes, snacks and on the go breakfasts. They are full of healthy ingredients and are only very lightly sweetened with a tiny bit of maple syrup. They also contain no refined sugars and are gluten free, dairy free and oil free.

I really wanted to drizzle these bars with melted chocolate. They would be so wonderful. But, after a run of pretty indulgent cooking and recipe testing and because I have a few chocolatey recipes coming up very soon, I decided to leave them as they are and be terribly good. Willpower isn't something I usually have much of so I am pretty proud of myself for resisting. Please feel free to add some chocolate to yours if the urge hits though. Once the guilt of having eaten far too much Maple Walnut Cake passes, I might well join you!

If you give this recipe a try don't forget to let me know. Rate it by hitting the yellow stars, comment below, or tag me #avirtualvegan on Instagram.

If you love granola bars then you might also want to try my Pumpkin Pecan & Chocolate Granola Bars.

Cherry Almond Granola Bars Melanie McDonald Plump, chewy dried cherries, crunchy almonds & wholesome oats & seeds make these Cherry Almond Granola Bars the perfect healthy snack or on the go breakfast. They are completely oil free, very lightly sweetened & come with bake or no bake options! 5 from 1 vote Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins Course Breakfast, Snack Cuisine vegan Servings 12 bars Calories 324 kcal Ingredients 1x 2x 3x 60mls / ¼ cup maple syrup 60mls / ¼ cup maple syrup

240mls / 1 cup almond butter 240mls / 1 cup almond butter

120mls / ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce 120mls / ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce

½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon salt

135g / 1½ cups rolled oats 135g / 1½ cups rolled oats

110g / 1 cup slivered almonds 110g / 1 cup slivered almonds

120g / 1 cup dried cherries 120g / 1 cup dried cherries

4 tablespoons ground flax seeds 4 tablespoons ground flax seeds

4 tablespoons chia seeds 4 tablespoons chia seeds INSTRUCTIONS These bars can be eaten raw or they can be baked. If you wish to bake them preheat your oven to 350° These bars can be eaten raw or they can be baked. If you wish to bake them preheat your oven to 350°

Line an 8 x 8 pan with baking parchment. Make sure a little hangs over the sides so you can lift it out easily when ready. Line an 8 x 8 pan with baking parchment. Make sure a little hangs over the sides so you can lift it out easily when ready.

Put maple syrup, almond butter, apple sauce and salt into a large bowl and stir together so it's well combined and smooth. Put maple syrup, almond butter, apple sauce 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. Pour in the oats, cherries, almonds, flax and chia.

Stir well together. It is a very stiff mixture so is a little difficult to stir. Stir well together. It is a very stiff mixture so is a little difficult to stir.

Spoon into the pan and press down really well all over. Spoon into the pan and press down really well all over.

If you do not wish to bake the granola bars then cover the tin with cling wrap and place in fridge for at least 3 - 4 hours. If you do not wish to bake the granola bars then cover the tin with cling wrap and place in fridge for at least 3 - 4 hours.

If you are baking then place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes. Remove when the edges start to go golden brown. Mine took 22 minutes. If you are baking then place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes. Remove when the edges start to go golden brown. Mine took 22 minutes.

Leave to cool for about 20 minutes. Leave to cool for about 20 minutes.

Lift out of the tin using the excess paper as handles and place on a chopping board. Lift out of the tin using the excess paper as handles and place on a chopping board.

Cut into 10 even pieces. I find a pizza cutter does a great job of cutting up bars and slices like this. Cut into 10 even pieces. I find a pizza cutter does a great job of cutting up bars and slices like this.

Store wrapped in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Store wrapped in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. NOTES I know in the UK apple sauce is hard to buy. It is however very easy to make yourself. Just cook down a couple of apples with a few tablespoons of water until soft then blend until smooth. NUTRITION Serving: 1 bar Calories: 324 kcal Carbohydrates: 32 g Protein: 10 g Fat: 19 g Sodium: 107 mg Fiber: 8 g Sugar: 10 g Calcium: 130 mg Iron: 2.7 mg Tried this recipe? Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @avirtualvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #avirtualvegan Get my Top 10 reader's favourite recipes e-Cookbook FREE!



