These cherry almond bars are a delightful combination of chewy oats, nutty almond flour, and sweet dried cherries. Perfect for a quick snack or a healthy dessert, they are easy to make and packed with flavor.
Some of the ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in every pantry. Almond flour is a gluten-free alternative to regular flour and can usually be found in the baking aisle or health food section of your supermarket. Coconut oil is another ingredient that might be less familiar; it is often located near other cooking oils or in the health food section. Dried cherries can typically be found with other dried fruits or in the baking aisle.
Ingredients For Cherry Almond Bars Recipe
Rolled oats: These provide a chewy texture and are a great source of fiber.
Almond flour: A gluten-free flour that adds a nutty flavor and moist texture.
Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that adds a rich, caramel-like flavor.
Coconut oil: Used as a binding agent and adds a subtle coconut flavor.
Dried cherries: These add a sweet and tart flavor to the bars.
Sliced almonds: Provide a crunchy texture and enhance the almond flavor.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the mixture.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When pressing the mixture into the baking dish, use a piece of parchment paper to help evenly distribute the dough and prevent it from sticking to your hands. This ensures a uniform thickness, which helps the bars bake evenly and achieve a consistent texture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Rolled oats - Substitute with quinoa flakes: Quinoa flakes provide a similar texture and are also gluten-free, making them a good alternative for those with gluten sensitivities.
Almond flour - Substitute with oat flour: Oat flour has a mild flavor and similar consistency, making it a good substitute in baked goods.
Maple syrup - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar has a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a suitable alternative for sweetening.
Coconut oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a healthier fat alternative, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
Dried cherries - Substitute with dried cranberries: Dried cranberries have a similar tartness and chewy texture, making them a good substitute.
Sliced almonds - Substitute with pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds provide a similar crunch and are a good nut-free alternative.
Vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract offers a complementary flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar flavor profile.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store / Freeze These Bars
- Allow the Cherry Almond Bars to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bars soggy.
- For short-term storage, place the bars in an airtight container. You can layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Store the container at room temperature if you plan to consume the bars within 2-3 days. Ensure it's kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- For longer storage, refrigerate the bars. They can last up to a week in the fridge. Again, use an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- To freeze the bars, first, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap. This helps to keep them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab a single serving.
- Place the individually wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.
- Frozen Cherry Almond Bars can be stored for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- For a quick thaw, you can microwave a bar for about 20-30 seconds. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the bars too soft.
- If you prefer a warm treat, you can reheat the bars in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes. This will give them a freshly baked texture.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the cherry almond bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps maintain the bars' texture and keeps them crispy on the outside while soft on the inside.
Microwave Method: Place a cherry almond bar on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to keep it from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 10 seconds if needed. This method is quick and convenient but may make the bars slightly softer.
Toaster Oven Method: Set your toaster oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the cherry almond bars on the toaster oven tray. Heat for about 5-7 minutes or until warmed through. This method is great for a small batch and helps retain the bars' crispy texture.
Stovetop Method: If you prefer a slightly toasted flavor, heat a non-stick skillet over low heat. Place the cherry almond bars in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until warmed through. This method adds a nice, toasty edge to the bars.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the cherry almond bars in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 3-5 minutes or until warmed through. This method is quick and helps maintain the bars' crispy texture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the cherry almond bars at 350°F (175°C) until they are golden brown.
Mixing bowl: Essential for combining the oats, almond flour, and salt, as well as mixing in the wet ingredients and folding in the dried cherries and sliced almonds.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the rolled oats, almond flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, dried cherries, and sliced almonds.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract and salt precisely.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the mixture and ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
Baking dish: The container in which the mixture is pressed and baked to form the bars.
Parchment paper: Optional, but useful for lining the baking dish to prevent sticking and make it easier to remove the bars after baking.
Knife: Needed for chopping the dried cherries and slicing the cooled bars.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the dried cherries.
Cooling rack: Allows the baked bars to cool evenly before cutting into portions.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out all ingredients like rolled oats, almond flour, and dried cherries before starting to streamline the process.
Use parchment paper: Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and less cleanup.
Melt coconut oil ahead: Melt the coconut oil in advance so it’s ready to mix when you need it.
Chop cherries in bulk: Chop all the dried cherries at once to save time during assembly.
Combine dry ingredients first: Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution and saves time.
Cherry Almond Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup dried cherries, chopped
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix oats, almond flour, and salt in a bowl.
- Add maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Stir well.
- Fold in dried cherries and sliced almonds.
- Press mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
Nutritional Value
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