s'mores granola bars

Back to school time is debatably my favorite time of the year. It's so weird not heading back to classes this fall! But that didn't stop me from recreating one of my favorite childhood snacks. Was it just me, or was anyone else obsessed with the S'mores flavored Chewy granola bars when they were a kid?!

Almost two years ago (holy cow, can't believe I've been food blogging that long) I posted a recipe for chocolate chip granola bars on the blog, so I took some inspiration from that recipe. For this recipe the main change is the addition of delicious marshmallows, but I also decreased the sugar and a few other ingredients for the sake of simplicity. If you're curious, you can find the original recipe for chocolate chip granola bars here.

But, now for what you really came here for--the s'mores granola bars. If you're looking to use the same toasted vanilla marshmallows I used, you can find them here. I hope you enjoy making my recreation of the oh-so delicious s'mores chewy granola bars as much as I did!

Ingredients (makes an 8x8in pan of granola bars)

- 12 pitted dates

- 2/3 cup almond flour

- 2 tbsp. coconut oil

- 1 and 2/3 cups rolled oats (use GF if needed)

- 3/4 tsp. salt

- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon - 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

- 1/3 cup almond butter or your desired nut butter

- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used mini chocolate chips)

- 1/2 cup chopped marshmallows

How to make it

- In a blender or food processor, combine 12 pitted dates, 2/3 cup almond flour, and 2 tbsp. melted coconut oil...blend until you get a nice pastey texture (see photo)

- In a medium bowl combine 1 and 2/3 cups oats, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

- Once combined, add date mixture to oat mixture and mix

- Add 1/3 cup almond butter and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract to bowl and mix again (use hands to combine, the heat from your hands will help bind everything together)

- Chop marshmallows up into small pieces (see photo)

- Add in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped marshmallows and mix until chocolate chips and marshmallow chunks are evenly dispersed

- Line an 8x8 in square pan with parchment paper

- Transfer granola mixture into pan, and spread it flat and evenly disperse with your hands (wet hands with water to prevent the mixture from sticking)

- Let bars set in fridge before cutting

- Cut granola bars into desired sizes

- Store in fridge to prevent crumbling

Finished product

All in all

These granola bars are the perfect addition to a packed lunch, or a great snack option. They're also gluten free (just use gf oats) and dairy free, yipee! Happy back to school. Love, Kelso