fig & dark chocolate granola bars (vegan, gluten-free)

figs and dark chocolate. better together. especially in a handy snack-size.

I love me an awesome baked good - or raw good - especially on a weekend morning. I'm also a huge fan of portable weekday snacks. The only problem? Absurd cost and quantity of crappy ingredients. In answer to this non-crisis, I give you...The fig & dark chocolate granola (whatever that means) bar! A ridiculously delicious breakfast or snack. Vegan and gluten-free. And guaranteed to taste (and make you feel) a ton better than the really adorable and yummy looking Starbucks items that call your name every time you set foot in the joint.

fig & dark chocolate granola bar (vegan, gluten-free)
1 1/3 cup gluten-free oats
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup flax seeds
1 cup chopped organic dried figs
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips OR 1/2 bar of chopped 70-85% dark chocolate (I love the Sweet Riot brand)
1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup
2 tblsps coconut nectar
1/4 cup canola oil
sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Or don't if you'd like to keep them raw.

Grind 1/3 cup of oats in food processor until fine. Mix with remaining cup of oats, flax seeds, figs, and dark chocolate. In a separate bowl, mix all liquid ingredients until combined. Add dry ingredients to wet and combine well. Spread mixture in a parchment paper lined 8x8 baking pan. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. If you'd like a raw bar, just put them in the fridge for at least 3 hours. If you'd like them baked, bake them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and then allow 15 minutes of cooling time before slicing.