Chewy Fruit and Nut Trail Mix Bars

… A Whole Lot of Gluten-Free Everything … Including Yum!

This Trail Mix Bar recipe resulted in bars just the way I like them, sweet and chewy and loaded with tons of goodness (both in taste and nutrients). They are spattered with soft nuts, by that I mean ones that are easy to bite into, lots of dried fruit to give a sweetness burst now and again, crunchy brown rice cereal for a little “crackle”, and nut butter to hold all the deliciousness together. As an extra little treat, as if the bars are bribing one to eat them, there are mini chocolate chips hidden throughout. And I can’t forget to mention the oatmeal, adding a bit of “chewiness” to the texture. In addition to their yum factor, what I really love about this recipe is its versatility. Any of the dried fruit and nuts can be changed to suit your personal yum factor. So grab your favorite goodies and bake away!

Prep time: about 10 minutes

Bake time: 20 minutes

Cool time: about an hour

Oven temp: 350ºF

Ingredients:

1 cup nut butter – I used 1/3 cup cashew and 2/3 cup almond (that’s what I had on hand)

1 cup honey

2 cups sweetened brown rice cereal – I like Barbara’s Gluten-Free Brown Rice Crisps

2 cups oats – can be rolled or quick cooking – I like Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats

1/4 cup Flax Seeds – King Arthur Flour Flax Seeds are great

1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped

1/3 cup dates, chopped

2/3 cup mini chocolate chips – I like Enjoy Life SemiSweet Mini Chips

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly oil, or spray with cooking spray, a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Combine honey and nut butter in a small sauce pot. Warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally to keep from sticking to bottom of pot and to thoroughly combine and melt enough to stir easily into the trail mix. (You can use less honey if you don’t like sweet treats. I find this amount is not too sweet, but just enough.)

In a large mixing bowl, combine all other ingredients. Stir to mix then pour nut butter/honey mixture into bowl and stir well to coat all ingredients.

Pour trail mix mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool baking dish on a cooling rack for about an hour. Before completely cool, cut into bars. Continue cooling. Can be stored in air tight container on counter, or place in fridge for a quick, cool treat.

What’s your favorite trail mix flavor combo? We’d love to know. Be sure to leave us a comment!

Safe food is a journey … Thrive!