Chewy Apricot Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

1. Preheat oven 350 F
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flax, almonds and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix the applesauce, agave, and egg whites with a fork or whisk until smooth.
4. Pour the egg white mixture into the big bowl of oats and stir until completely combined.
5. Add the apricots and chocolate chips and mix well.
6. Pour into a 9×9-inch square baking pan that has been lined with foil and greased. (Make sure the foil overlaps the sides of the pan for easy removal.)
7. Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, press the granola mixture down into the pan until it is completely flat.
8. Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
9. Allow to completely cool before you slice into bars. I found the easiest way to do it was to lift the entire square out of the pan by the foil flaps, and then use a long lightly serrated knife to cut into even squares. The slightly obsessive part of me insisted on using a ruler to make sure each one was even but that’s entirely up to you and your level of insanity!
10. You could refrigerate these for about 7 days or wrap them up individually and freeze them. Grab one on your way out the door and you are good to go!