Vegan, gluten, and sugar free carrot cake granola bars made with sunflower seeds (no nuts!) and sweetened with dates. There's plenty of classic carrot cake flavour here with shredded coconut and spices, but these can be eaten any time of day.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease or line two 20 cm (8 inch) square baking tins.
Place 110 grams (1 cup) of the oats and 70 grams (1/2 cup) of the sunflower seeds into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Mix on high, until a coarse flour forms.
220 grams rolled oats, 110 grams sunflower seeds
Place the flour into a large bowl and stir in the remaining oats, sunflower seeds, coconut, raisins, chia, pepitas, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
Blend the dates, oil, milk, tahini, and maple syrup (if using) in a food processor or blender until a paste forms. Add this and the shredded carrot to the oat mixture and mix thoroughly until fully combined. Using your hands works best.
120 grams soft dates, 60 ml oil*, 60 ml non-dairy milk, 3 tablespoons tahini or nut butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 medium carrot
Separate the dough into two equal parts and press it into the prepared baking tins. Use damp hands to pack it very firmly in and try to make an even layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is turning golden.
Remove from the oven and cool for about 15 minutes in the tins before carefully removing and cooling fully on a rack. Cut each into nine equal squares and store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days, or longer in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
• If you don't have a food processor, and store bought almond meal can be used instead of the sunflower meal.• If your dates are semi-dried, soak them in hot water for about half an hour before blending. They need to be soft for the bars to hold properly.* I've tried this with sunflower, olive, and coconut oil. All work well. If you're using coconut oil you don't need to melt it beforehand, just blend it as instructed.** These aren't particularly sweet so if you like a sweeter granola bar, add the maple syrup. Otherwise they'll be just lightly sweet.