Almond Oat Granola Bars

Almond Oat Granola Bars (found at Oxygen Magazine)

Ingredients

1½ cups Marcona almonds or slivered regular almonds (no skin)
¼ cup 100% pure maple syrup
¼ cup packed light-brown sugar
2½ teaspoons vanilla
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cups old-fashioned oats

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In mini-prep food processor, pulse the almonds 15 times. If not using a food processor, roughly chop the almonds.
In a large bowl, whisk together the syrup, sugar, vanilla, salt and oil. Add the oats and nuts and stir it all together well, using a rubber spatula.
Turn the batter out onto the cookie sheet. Using a stiff metal spatula, gently press it into an even layer in the shape of a 9-by-13 rectangle. It should be even on the top and all sides.
Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Cover with foil and bake another 15 minutes. Check the color. If not yet light golden brown and beginning to harden, take the foil off and bake another five minutes uncovered. Let cool for one hour. When cool, gently break into pieces and store in airtight container or plastic zip-top bag.
Note: The color should be light golden. If edges start turning darker brown, immediately remove from oven.

Makes about 14 2-inch bars

Nutrients (per serving): calories 177, fat 11 g, saturated fat 1 g, cholesterol 0 mg, sodium 28 mg, carbohydrates 18 g, fiber 3 g, sugar 8 g, protein 4 g