Apricot-Almond-Chia Granola Bars + 32 more recipes using Chia Seeds!

Here I am, still on my quest for new and exciting ways to use my favorite superfood - chia seeds. I've mentioned some of their amazing health benefits before, and since... a) you may have already read that post, or b) you've probably read/heard about these benefits numerous other times, or c) "I'm just looking for some recipes, so stop the jawin' lady" ...I won't repeat them now. But on the off-chance that up until this very moment, you had no idea that chia seeds were even edible, let alone extremely good for you, you can check out my mini-intro here.

So, like many people, when I brought home my first bag of chia seeds, I wasn't sure where to start. What would I do with them? What types of foods and beverages could I slip them into? The answer to those questions are: pretty much anything that you want to.

If you know me, you know that I drink my daily chia. I love sliding the gelled seeds through my teeth; my day would not be complete without it. I think slipping them into your beverage is the easiest way to familiarize yourself with them and what they do. After that, try adding them to breads, crackers, even cookies. Throw a couple of teaspoons into your next batch of homemade granola (or granola bars like I did here).

The possibilities are endless, and I've asked a few of my fellow food bloggers to share some of the ways that they use chia seeds with me (and you), as well. So, first take a gander at these granola bars. They couldn't be easier - you throw all of the ingredients into one big bowl and mix it up. Dump, press, bake, enjoy. Once you've marveled over that {ahem}, continue on for some more recipes ideas for adding chia seeds to your diet...and some may surprise you!

Apricot-Almond-Chia Granola Bars

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Keywords: bake breakfast snack dairy-free soy-free vegan chia seeds quinoa almonds apricots American

Ingredients (12 bars)

1 cup quinoa flakes
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
big pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup + 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons brown rice syrup
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 11x7-inch baking dish with parchment paper that overhangs a bit on each edge (for easy removal of the bars later).

Stir all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until everything is combined well and there are no dry spots left. Dump it all into the lined pan and press it down evenly using a rubber spatula.

Slide into preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bars have started to turn golden brown on the top and are fairly firm. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Lift the sheet of parchment from the pan (using those overhanging edges you left) and set on a cutting board. Cut into rectangles or squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

-a riff on my absolute favorite granola bars

Looking for more ways to use chia seeds? Check out these fantastic recipes, some from me and others from some amazingly talented food bloggers out there: