Recipe: Blueberry Coconut Granola Bars

By Shelby of Fit As A Mama Bear

Soft and refreshing, these blueberry coconut granola bars make the perfect snack for busy days! Made with nourishing, nutrient-dense ingredients, these homemade granola bars will keep you fueled on the go.

This is the season to whip up all things blueberry! Fresh blueberries make it so that these granola bars come out refreshing as well as fueling. The bars are loaded with healthy fats to keep you full and the combination of blueberries with a hint of maple syrup makes the bars sweet but not too sweet.

YIELDS : 6 bars or 8 squares

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

½ cup walnut halves

1/8 cup hemp hearts

1/3 cup pumpkin seeds, raw

¼ cup toasted coconut slices

1/8 cup dried blueberries

½ cup fresh blueberries

½ tablespoon coconut oil, measured solid

¼ cup almond butter, smooth

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 eggs

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees. In a mini food processor, grind the walnuts and pumpkin seeds into a chunky flour.

2. In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients and the fresh blueberries.

3. Melt the coconut oil and whisk it with the almond butter and maple syrup until no clumps remain.

4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and mix well.

5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture evenly and flat.

6. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and use a silicone spatula to mix the granola around.

7. Smooth it back down and continue baking for another 15 minutes until the edges of the granola are beginning to brown.

8. Remove from the oven and let sit 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, adjust the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

9. Whisk the eggs in a bowl and crumble in the granola. Mix briefly until semi-coated taking care not to over mix.

10. Line an 8x4 pan with parchment paper and pour in the granola. Use a silicone spatula to press it down evenly and smooth it out.

11. Bake in the oven for 20-22 minutes.

12. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes before removing and cutting into bars or squares.

13. Store bars in the fridge.

These granola bars are a great mid-day indulgence on their own. Likewise, they also taste delicious crumbled onto your favorite smoothie bowl too!

Meet Shelby - a Strength & Nutrition Coach and the person behind the blog Fitasamamabear.com. As a mom of three young girls and coach for the past ten years, Shelby now strives to make fitness and healthy living practices for busy moms. By sharing her knowledge and the resources on her website, Shelby helps busy moms get fit, happy, and healthy.