Maple Tahini Granola Bars

Directions

1. Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper so two sides hang over the sides for easy lifting. Coat the dish generously with nonstick spray.

2. Spread the oats and nuts on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast in the oven for about 12 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.

3. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan over low to medium heat, combine the tahini and maple syrup. Whisk until the mixture is smoothly combined. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

4. As soon as the oat mixture is finished toasting, carefully transfer to a large bowl. Add in the tahini and maple syrup mixture. With a rubber spatula, stir to combine. Let cool for 10 minutes, then add the chocolate chips and raisins. If you add the chocolate chips too quickly, they will melt. 

5. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. With the back of a spatula, press the bars into a single layer.

6. Bake the granola bars for 15 to 20 minutes; 15 minutes will result in chewier bars, 20 minutes will result in slightly crunchier bars. 

7. While the the bars are still in the pan, press a knife down into the pan to cut into bars of your desired size (we recommend 2 rows of 5). Do not remove the bars from the pan. Let them cool completely in the pan.

8. Once the bars have cooled completely, about 30 minutes, use the parchment to lift them onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars again in the same place, going over your lines to separate. Pull apart and store in an air-tight container. They will last about 10 days in the fridge or 5 days on the counter.