No Bake Apple Cinnamon Date Granola Bars

Contributed By: Adventures in Freeze Drying: For Beginners

One recipe will heavy fill 1 medium tray or you can divide into two trays for thinner bars*

Directions:

1. Put 3 Tbsp of Chia Seed into 2 cups of hot water and set a side
2. In a heavy saucepan on the stove, add your dates, 1 cup of water, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
3. Once thick and bubbly add 1 C water and cook for an additional 5 minutes stirring frequently.
4. Add the soaked Chia Seeds to your saucepan and boil on low heat for an additional 10 minutes stirring often.
5. In a blender or food processor, pour in the date mixture, add the applesauce, avocado, salt and Cinnamon. Puree for 1-2  minutes. 
6. In a large mixing bowl, measure out oatmeal and coconut, add contents from the blender and mix well. 
7. Pour onto a lined tray, use dividers set as 20 portion or 40 portion, cover with a lid
8. Pre-freeze until solid 
9. Freeze dry (This is heavy, do not freeze dry more than 2 batches at a time)
10. Store Appropriately (See Tips and Tricks for storage help)

Variations You can add 1 cup of dried cranberries, raisins, or blueberries to the blender before you puree.

Cycle Time:

With trays being pre frozen in a mixed load, my cycle time was about 27 hours.

Rehydration:

Not intended

* Large Tray = 8 Cups/tray   Medium = 6 Cups/Tray   Small = 4 Cups/Tray

Cycle times & rehydration for reference only. Your results may vary.