Since granola is typically a breakfast item in our house, I try especially hard to stay away from processed refined sugars when making or buying it. This is probably the main reason I’ve steered away from most grocery-store granolas, but last year I discovered Purely Elizabeth Granolas and it’s one of the few store-bought granolas that I buy with enthusiasm. Purely Elizabeth Granolas are full of nutrient-rich oats, amaranth, quinoa, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, coconut oil, and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar. I’ve tried to recreate this granola at home, but so far have been unable to successfully replicate it so I treat myself to this store-bought version every once in a while. Recently Purely Elizabeth announced a recipe contest using their line of Hot Ancient Grain Oatmeal Cereals and I thought it would it be a fun challenge. I came up with these Ancient Grain Fig Date Bars and I’m so excited to share these with you. These chewy crunchy little energy bars are made with wholesome ingredients such as almonds, oats, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, flax, quinoa, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and are bound together with softened figs and dates. Using Purely Elizabeth Ancient 6-grain Cereal adds such a variety of whole grains and seeds and the bonus is that there’s no need to buy and store separate little bags since they are all included in the cereal. Besides a touch of maple syrup, no other sweeteners are added, but they are plenty sweet thanks to the natural sweetness of the figs and dates.
This recipe was selected as one of the top 15 favorites and the next round is determined by voting. If you could take a minute and stop by here to vote for these bars, it would make my day. Thanks to all of you who support me- I wish I could give each of you a big personal hug right now!
- 1 cup Purely Elizabeth Organic 6 Grain Hot Cereal
- 1 cup raw almonds, chopped
- ½ cup calimyra figs, about 6 figs
- ½ cup medjool dates, about 8-9 dates
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Preheat oven to 325. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Spread hot cereal and almonds evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until toasty and fragrant. Set aside.
- While toasting the cereal and almonds, place figs and dates in a small bowl. Pour enough boiling water over the fruit to just cover. Soak for 20 minutes and then drain over a strainer. Do not squeeze water out from figs and dates.
- In the bowl of a food processor, add the figs, dates, maple syrup and salt. Process mixture until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted cereal and almonds with the processed fruit mixture. Mix together with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan and press firmly with the back of rubber spatula.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes, until top is no longer sticky. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Laura says
These look soooo delicious! What a great idea to use cereal. I haven’t had figs in a long time, so I might just have to pick some up and give these a try!
Emily says
Thanks, Laura. Usually I like to start completely from scratch, but the cereal was definitely convenient for these!
Amy says
Emily, these look so delicious and I would love to try them. Can you tell me if you buy the cereal at a regular grocery store or would I have to go to a whole foods type store? Thank you!
Emily says
Hi Amy, I bought the cereal at Whole Foods, but I have also ordered directly online from the company when they’ve run specials in the past. You can also find Purely Elizabeth at these stores: http://www.purelyelizabeth.com/wheretobuy.htm. If you can’t find Purely Elizabeth, I would think a regular grocery store might also have some sort of multi-grain/seed cereal that would work.
renee (Will frolic for food) says
YES! these are freakin great! your food photography is stunning, too. love how nourishing these bars are.
Emily says
Thank you, Renee! Such a compliment coming from you with such outstanding food photography yourself!
Carrie says
You ROCK STAR!!! I am so excited about this – hoping you win. Love, LOVE, lOvE everything you post and our family is eating so well because of you. Thank you for sharing. XO
Emily says
Hey sweet friend! Thank you! Thinking of you all the time these days and praying for you!
Dorcas says
Hi Emily!
Somehow I just found your recipe on someone else’s site. I thought, “I want to make these!’ Then I saw it was by you. They look terrific and I’m off to make them! Cheers.
Emily says
How fun! Such a small little world we live in. So good to hear from you, Dorcas! Hope they turned out well. 🙂