Granola Bars
Here’s a recipe for a great, quick snack or breakfast on the go! You can add all sorts of stuff like chocolate chips, different nuts, different dried fruits.. Make them the way you like them!
These granola bars also freeze well, so we recommend wrapping them individually and having them on hand for when you need them.
Basic Ingredients
2 C Rolled Oats (not instant!)
½ C Honey***
¼ C Creamy Peanut Butter***
1 teasp Vanilla
? teasp Salt
1 C Additions (see below)
Preheat oven to 325°F and toast oats on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a large mixing bowl. (You do not have to toast the oatmeal if you don’t want to – just use them straight out of the package – but toasting will add more flavor.)
In a small saucepan, warm the honey, peanut butter, vanilla and salt over medium heat until smooth and fully mixed.
Pour over oats and other additions and mix well.
Press the mixture into a greased 9” square cake pan or casserole.
Option One: Bake in preheated oven for up to 15 minutes. The longer you cook them the crunchier they will be – bake for a shorter time for chewy bars.
Cool then cut.
Option Two: Make sure the mixture is very well pressed into a pan lined with plastic wrap, then place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before cutting.
*** You can use maple syrup or agave instead of honey, if you want.
*** You can use any type of nut butter.
Additions:
Coconut (toast with the oats)
Nuts – salted or unsalted. (If using raw nuts, toast them for 10-15 minutes first.) You can use peanuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, etc – anything you want! (Chop larger nuts.)
Dried Fruit: Dates (chopped), raisins, craisins, dried blueberries, banana chips, etc
Chocolate: Dark, milk or white! (Use mini chips, or chop for best results.)