Almond Flour Granola Bars (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free)

I absolutely love these bars! They are grain-free and gluten-free. Traditionally, granola bars have oats in them, but since I'm trying to reduce my carb intake, I decided to come up with an "oatless" spin on my Chocolate, Nut and Seed Granola Bars. Gone were the oats and in came the almond flour. Using almond flour meant that I could add more flax seed and nuts and still have the bars hold together. I tried adding baking soda, but it completely changed the texture of the bars. Instead of being moist and chewy, they were more dry and soft. I like the moist and chewy better!

These are also great for those with fructose malabsorption (fructmal). Nuts and seeds are easily tolerated by those with fructmal. Plus, they add great nutrition with healthy fats, protein and fiber. I love nuts and seeds! Now, as for the peanut butter, I couldn't find much information. Technically, peanuts are a legume and generally legumes aren't tolerated by people with fructmal. However, I have found that I tolerate peanuts and peanut butter just fine. Lucky me! I love peanut butter. If you can't tolerate peanuts or are allergic to peanuts, no problem. Just sub the peanut butter with another nut butter, such as almond butter, cashew butter or Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds).

I do add a little honey to these bars for just a touch of sweetness. It is generally believed that honey contains more fructose than glucose, which makes it hard for people with fructmal to digest. I just read in my Nutrition Action Healthletter (highly recommend!) that the glucose:fructose ratio is more 50:50. I don't know. I can tolerate it in small amounts, so these bars work for me because there is only 1 teaspoon of honey per par. The honey is also very optional. You could use maple syrup instead or you can skip it altogether, they just won't be as sweet. Still delicious though!

I hope you enjoy these bars as much as I do! I make these every week as they are "must" for me. They are the perfect portable snack to take to work to energize me.

Almond Flour Granola Bars
makes 12 bars                                                                                                        printer-friendly recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup nut butter (such as peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter or Sunbutter)
1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup (optional or as tolerated)
1 large egg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup blanched almond flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup raw sunflower seed nuts
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips  (optional or as tolerated)
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease an 8"x8" square baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the nut butter, honey, egg and salt. Stir until smooth and completely combined.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the almond flour, nuts, chocolate chips, flax seed meal, chia seeds and sesame seeds. Pour the nut butter mixture into the almond flour mixture and stir until combined.
4. Press mixture evenly into prepared baking pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown around edges. Cool before cutting into bars.