Apple Granola Squares

I LOVE a flapjack, but let’s be honest, the tastiest flapjacks are the ones that are full of butter and golden syrup. I wanted to find a flapjack-style bake that had a bit more variety in it, and wouldn’t be quite as sugary.

I also keep getting lovely organic apples sent to me in my fruit and veg delivery so I wanted to utilise those. The result - these apple granola bars.

They’re accidentally vegan and gluten free, and they’re great for a weekday snack. I’ve added a mixture of seeds and currents to mine, but they would also taste great with nuts or other dried fruit. Again, you can play around with the spices if you fancy. I stuck to cinnamon as I love the classic apple and cinnamon combo.

MAKES: 16 squares

BAKING TIME: 30-35 minutes

SEASON: September to May

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup whole oats

½ cup ground oats (can be done in a food processor/blender)

¾ cup ground almonds

1 whole apple (grated, including skin)

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp milled flaxseed

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp apple sauce (shop bought or homemade by stewing apples to a pulp)

1/3 cup extra virgin coconut oil (melted)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp cinnamon

Selection of currants and seeds for the filling (1 used 1/3 cup mixed currants and 1/3 cup mixed seeds – pumpkin and sunflower)

METHOD:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and line a square baking tin with greaseproof paper.

2. In a food processor or blender, grind up ½ cup oats then add to a large mixing bowl along with the ground almonds, whole oats, baking powder and cinnamon.

3. Thoroughly wash and grate the apple and add it to the mix.

4. Add in the ground flaxseed, 2 tbsp water and apple sauce and mix everything thoroughly.

5. Melt the coconut oil, then add it to the bowl, along with the maple syrup and vanilla essence & mix again.

6. Fold in the currants and seeds evenly.

7. Transfer the mixture to your baking tin and spread out evenly.

8. Bake in the oven for 30-35mins and allow to cool before slicing.