Gluten Free Bars

[Ghodur]

Sorry for cross-posting, but I couldn't find the gluten free board, initially. I'm looking for help in determining what to use to make these bars stick together better. They taste great, but tend to crumble.
Recipe: Gluten Free Apricot Oat Bars

Labels: Apps & Snacks; Gluten-Free

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp orange zest
2-3 T orange juice (juice of half a large orange)
1/2 C chopped dried apricots
1/2 C raisins or chopped prunes
2/3 C sliced almonds
2 T flax seeds, ground
1 1/2 C quick oats
2 T oat flour or gluten free all purpose blend
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C plus 2 T almond butter
1/4 C honey
1/4 C olive oil
1/4 tsp almond flavoring

Directions:
Heat the oven to 325 with the rack in the middle. Line a 9x9 pan with nonstick foil.
Place the dried fruit in a bowl. Heat the orange juice to a simmer and pour over the fruit. Toss the fruit now and then til the juice is absorbed.
Toast the almonds on a baking sheet til fragrant. Mix almonds, oats, flax seed, flour, salt and cinnamon in a bowl.
Mix the zest, almond butter, almond flavoring, honey and oil in a bowl and whisk to combine.
Blend the dry ingredients, the fruit, ant the almond butter mixture and press into the prepared pan, Bake 20-25 min til golden brown. Cool completely and slice into bars. Store airtight for up to a week.

 

[Gravy Queen]

Hi Ghodur, there is a gluten free forum , if you go to Forums at the top you will find it . But anyhow , Hello, I have coeliac disease so I do a lot of gluten free cooking . I make bars similar to yours . Looking at your list of ingredients your mix may be too wet which won't make it stick , you could take a few things out . You don't need oil for a start , or orange juice , the zest would be lovely but the juice I reckon is making it too wet . Almond butter and honey should be enough to bind, I also use 2 mashed bananas . Are your oats specifically gluten free too ? Worth checking as oats can be contaminated I preparation so they must specify that they are gluten free .