These salty-sweet granola bars might taste decadent, but they're made with wholesome ingredients. Caramel adapted from Nutrition Stripped's Raw Caramel with Apples.
Combine the maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil, dates, and vanilla extract in the small bowl of a food processor. Process until completely smooth; the mixture should resemble caramel when it's finished.
Stir together the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour the caramel mixture over the top and use a wooden spoon (or your hands) to combine.
Grease a small square baking dish with coconut oil. Press the granola bar mixture into the dish and cover it with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate the granola bars for about 2 hours, or until set. Once set, cut the bars into 12 equal pieces. Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Notes
If you're using a different type of salt, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. Because fleur de sel flakes are larger than table salt crystals, using table salt will result in a much saltier granola bar.You can use a combination of different ingredients for the ¼ cup of add-ins. I've made these with 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds and 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, and also with ¼ cup of sunflower seeds. As long as the amount totals ¼ cup, you're good.Because these bars are held together with caramel, they need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer so they don't fall apart.
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