Description
These Vegan Strawberry Granola Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack made with toasted rolled oats, freeze-dried strawberries, flax seeds, and vanilla-flavored pea protein. Sweetened naturally with agave syrup and brown sugar, and bound together with coconut oil, these bars offer a perfect balance of crunch and chewiness without any animal products. Ideal for a quick on-the-go energy boost or a wholesome treat, they are simple to prepare and require minimal baking and chilling time.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (230g) rolled oats
- 1 cup (22g) freeze-dried strawberries
- 3 tbsp (30g) whole flax seeds
- 6 tbsp (38g) vanilla-flavored pea protein powder
- ¼ tsp (2g) salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup (55g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (55g) coconut oil
- ¼ cup (60ml) agave syrup
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for toasting the oats. Also, line an 8” x 8” (20cm x 20cm) square pan with two crossing sheets of parchment paper to prepare for pressing the granola bars.
- Toast the Oats: Spread the rolled oats evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then stir to redistribute the oats. Continue baking for another 5 to 7 minutes until they are lightly toasted and fragrant.
- Prepare Syrup Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut oil, brown sugar, agave syrup, and salt. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Boil Syrup: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Then remove the pan from heat.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the toasted oats, freeze-dried strawberries, and whole flax seeds.
- Add Protein to Syrup: Once the syrup stops bubbling, stir in the vanilla-flavored pea protein powder thoroughly until the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture. Stir well until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated and sticky.
- Press into Pan: Transfer the sticky mix into the lined square baking pan. Using a spatula (be careful as the syrup is still hot), press down firmly to compact the mixture into an even layer.
- Chill to Set: Loosely cover the pan to allow some steam to escape and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the bars firm up properly.
- Cut and Store: After chilling, cut the set granola into 10 bars. Store individually wrapped in parchment paper or in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Toast the oats carefully to achieve a nutty flavor without burning.
- Make sure to press the mixture firmly to ensure the bars hold together well.
- The bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Freeze-dried strawberries retain flavor and texture better than fresh for this recipe.
- Adjust sweetness by modifying the amount of brown sugar or agave syrup according to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
