Homemade Gluten-Free Vegan Granola Bars

These bars look and taste like crunchy granola bars but contain only a few ingredients. For the nutrition info visit One Hungry Mess.

Note: This recipe calls for a dehydrator, but not to worry, these can be baked in the oven instead.

3 medium apples, cored & shredded (or pulsed in a food processor)
1 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup raisins
6 dates, chopped
1/4 cup maple syrup or agave
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Grind the almonds in a food processor just before it reaches an almond meal consistency, leaving some small pieces. Transfer to a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined. Grab handfuls of the mix and place onto dehydrator screens. I found it easier to form them into bars on the screens rather than in my hands as the mix is pretty wet. Once they are the shape you want, dehydrate for 24 hours, flipping halfway through. Once cooled, they harden to make crunchy bars, so if you prefer them softer just dehydrate them for less time.