Chewy Banana and Sesame Granola Bars
Chewy Banana and Sesame Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup (170 g) Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
- ¼ cup (60 ml) tahini
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) quick-cooking oats
- ¾ cup (70 g) dried banana slices, crushed
- ½ cup (45 g) unsweetened shredded or grated coconut
- ¼ cup (35 g) toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup (25 g) puffed rice
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 oz (85 g) dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Butter a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) rectangular pan and line with a strip of parchment paper, letting it hang over two sides.
- In a small pot over medium heat, bring the dates, butter, water, honey and tahini to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the dates have reduced to a purée. Let cool.
- In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, except for the chocolate. Add the date purée. Mix well with a spatula to coat the dry ingredients with the purée. Add the chocolate and mix to combine. Spread the mixture out in the prepared pan in an even layer. To help with this step, cover the mixture with a piece of parchment paper and press down with rolling pin or another flat object, then remove the parchment paper.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the sides start to brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Unmould, then cut into bars. The granola bars will keep for 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature. They will get softer after a few days.
Chewy Banana and Sesame Granola Bars