Blueberry Vanilla Greek Yogurt Granola Bars.

Blueberry Vanilla Greek Yogurt Granola Bars.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats (gluten free if needed)
• 1 1/2 cup brown rice krispies
• 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup whole roasted almonds, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter (I typically use peanut butter)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (rounded) cup fresh blueberries or 3/4 cup dried blueberries

• Greek Yogurt Coating
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon gelatin
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar

 

Instructions

*Skip this step if you are using dried blueberries. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the blueberries on the baking sheet. Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until the berries burst and shrink. Remove from oven and let cool.

Line an 9x13 square Pyrex pan with wax or parchment paper.

In a large bowl combine the oats, rice krispies, coconut, almonds, chia seeds and salt. Mix together.

In a small microwave safe bowl combine the almond butter and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the mixture is hot and pourable. Add the vanilla and mix again.

Add the honey mixture to the dry oat mixture and mix until everything is moist and combined. Gently stir in the blueberries. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and then using the back of a measuring cup press the mixture into the pan until it is tightly packed. Cover and place in the freezer for 1 hour. Cut into 9-12 bars and return to the freezer.

Make the greek yogurt coating. Combine the water and vanilla in a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over top and whisk with a fork until the gelatin is evenly distributed. Set aside for about 5 minutes or until needed. It will set into a thick paste.

In another small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, honey, and salt. Microwave on 15 second bursts, stirring in between each burst, until the yogurt is liquidy and very warm to the touch. Don't let it start to boil or the yogurt will curdle. I microwaved mine for 30 seconds total.

Whisk the gelatin into the warm yogurt mixture. Whisk until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Scrape the yogurt mixture into a medium mixing bowl. Pour the powdered sugar on top. Use a mixer or whisk until the yogurt and powdered sugar combine into a thick, but pourable, coating.

Line a baking sheet with wax paper or a silpat. Working with one bar at a time, dip the bottom of the bar into the yogurt and allow any excess to drip off. Flip the bars over so the yogurt coated side faces up and place on the prepared baking sheet. They will be very sticky. Repeat with the remaining bars. Let the bars sit, uncovered, until dry to the touch, about four hours or overnight (I left mine overnight). Cover the remaining yogurt coating with plastic wrap until ready to use again.

Once the bars are completely dry, flip them over so the yogurt coated side is now facing down. Transfer the remaining yogurt coating to a sandwich size ziplock bag and snip a small hole in the corner. Drizzle the remaining coating over the bars and allow the bars to sit at least two hours or overnight (I left mine overnight).

Once the bars are completely dry, store in an airtight container at room temperature.

*If you want an extra thick yogurt coating double the recipe for the Greek Yogurt and repeat the dipping process twice just as directed.