I like trying to make homemade granola and snack bars, but sometimes all the sugar (even honey) poured into them concerns me. And of course a lot of the store bought ones have it too. I like these for having lower sugar and its that perfect blend of sweet and salty , chewy and crunchy.

I've been testing out this new product called VitaFiber a higher fiber, low calorie natural sweetner in a syrup form. It keeps the sweetness but without all the sugar. They sent me a recipe to try for their Apricot Almond bars, and of course, me being me I made them with a little "bitchin'" flare. (Ok most of the change was adding chocolate.) Who doesn't like chocolate though?

Check out this recipe and let me know what you think!

Calories: 172
Fat: 11 grams
Carbohydrates: 20 grams (Net 9 grams)
Fiber: 11 grams
Sugar: 5 grams
Protein: 4 grams

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup almonds (half almonds half cashews taste yummy too)
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
10 dried apricots
1/2 cup puffed rice cereal
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tsp chia seeds
1 bar of unsweetened dairy free bakers chocolate. (can also use Enjoy Life Vegan Chips)
1/2 cup VitaFiber IMO Syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Putting it together:

Toast almonds and coconut flakes at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes.
Chop up almonds and apricots.
Add almonds, apricots, coconut, puffed rice, flaxseed, chocolate and chia seeds into a bowl.
Add VitaFiber syrup, vanilla and salt into a saucepan, bring to a bubble and let simmer for 2-3 minutes
Add VitaFiber syrup to the fruit and nut mixture. Mix well.
Add mixture to a lightly sprayed 9x9 dish.
Let set up for 15 minutes in the fridge.
Take cooled mixture out of the pan and cut into 12 bars.
ENJOY!

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife