Brought to you by: No Bake Gluten-free Granola Squares
Okay, I'm a girl who loves to eat. It also happens that I'm a girl who's body decided she can't eat what most “normal” folk can. So, being a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian in Hong Kong has not been easy. While it's not impossible to find gluten-friendly treats, I just refuse to pay the equivalent of $10 Canadian for a box of 4 little granola bars. That's pure madness. But not having an oven here is tough because I'm used to doing all my own baking at home...so what's a girl to do?
Learn the art of “No Bake" recipes of course! Yes, that's a thing!
Tonight I made us a big ol' batch of 20 granola squares. All you need is gluten-free oats (thank you Organic Plus in Soho!), nuts, raisins, honey and peanut butter. Most ingredients you'll have in your pantry already and there is lots of room for creativity! Once I had gathered all of my ingredients, it worked out to be about $20 Canadian, and there's still enough left to do at least 2 more batches! That's about .33 cents a square!
Take that, over-priced, imported, packaged, gluten (hardly) free foods.
Okay, I'm a girl who loves to eat. It also happens that I'm a girl who's body decided she can't eat what most “normal” folk can. So, being a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian in Hong Kong has not been easy. While it's not impossible to find gluten-friendly treats, I just refuse to pay the equivalent of $10 Canadian for a box of 4 little granola bars. That's pure madness. But not having an oven here is tough because I'm used to doing all my own baking at home...so what's a girl to do?
Learn the art of “No Bake" recipes of course! Yes, that's a thing!
Tonight I made us a big ol' batch of 20 granola squares. All you need is gluten-free oats (thank you Organic Plus in Soho!), nuts, raisins, honey and peanut butter. Most ingredients you'll have in your pantry already and there is lots of room for creativity! Once I had gathered all of my ingredients, it worked out to be about $20 Canadian, and there's still enough left to do at least 2 more batches! That's about .33 cents a square!
Take that, over-priced, imported, packaged, gluten (hardly) free foods.
I love these squares because they are super easy to make and are a delicious snack you can feel good about. Not to mention a great source of dietary fiber. I much prefer making my own food so I know exactly what went into it and how it was made, rather than buying something store bought and packaged. Plus this way I can nibble along the way!
Here's the recipe for you to try at home:
Line a deep pan (about 13”x9”) with parchment paper. Mix all the dry ingredients together. Lightly heat up and whisk together your nut butter and honey (this will be your binder). Mix your wet and dry ingredients together. Spread onto your pan and press down firmly with a spatula. Sprinkle M&Ms on top, if desired, and press down again. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until firm. Cut into squares and wrap individually. Keep some in the fridge for easy-snacking and the rest in the freezer for later. Seriously, it's that easy!
I can't wait to get creative with other ingredients and combinations. If I can ever find them, I'd love to throw in some hemp hearts for all of the essential fatty and amino acids our body's need!
It's really a fool-proof recipe. And they are so so sooo yummy. I've already eaten 2 while writing this!
Enjoy my friends!
Nerdy food moment over. For now...
Here's the recipe for you to try at home:
- 3 cups gluten-free oats
- 1 cups raisins (you can use a mix of any dried fruits- cherries, apricots, cranberries, etc.)
- 1.5 - 2.5 cups nuts and seeds (I used almonds, cashews, walnuts, macadamias, peanuts and sunflower seeds)
- 2/3 cup peanut butter (you can use any nut butter- almond, cashew, etc.)
- 2/3 cup honey
- M&Ms to sprinkle on top (optional - my way to trick Anto into eating them)
Line a deep pan (about 13”x9”) with parchment paper. Mix all the dry ingredients together. Lightly heat up and whisk together your nut butter and honey (this will be your binder). Mix your wet and dry ingredients together. Spread onto your pan and press down firmly with a spatula. Sprinkle M&Ms on top, if desired, and press down again. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until firm. Cut into squares and wrap individually. Keep some in the fridge for easy-snacking and the rest in the freezer for later. Seriously, it's that easy!
I can't wait to get creative with other ingredients and combinations. If I can ever find them, I'd love to throw in some hemp hearts for all of the essential fatty and amino acids our body's need!
It's really a fool-proof recipe. And they are so so sooo yummy. I've already eaten 2 while writing this!
Enjoy my friends!
Nerdy food moment over. For now...