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Homemade Granola Bars
“Mykids will neverthrow tantrumsin public.”
“Mydaughter will always wear matching outfits.”
“Mychild will never eat processed junk food or suck down juice.”
You know all those lofty claimswe make before havingkids? Like a good friend of ours says, “I was the perfect parent until I had kids.” Too true.I am the mom whorips intothe box of fruit snacks in the middle of Target, who lets my daughtermix polka dots with plaids, who allows my son topee under the car in parking lot emergencies. I’m so sorry.
And don’t even get me started on those boxes of granola bars that are so easy to grab. Nutritious? No. Fast? Easy? Yes and yes. Oh, and they also helpwith those publicmeltdowns that were never supposed to happen.
Threeyearsago, I bought a bunch of juice on a great sale with coupons. The added bonus? Forevery four jugs of juice you bought, youreceivedone free box of granola bars! I normally don’t buy those super-sweet sawdusty rectangles, but free? Why not.
The following week, whenhunting around for an afternoon snack, Ipulled out one of those granola bars. As I ate it, I thought, “Why am I eating this? I don’t like it. It doesn’t taste good, and I will be hungry again in approximately 8 minutes.” I was eating it because it was free and fast. Those two things only get you so far, though. It was not filling or satisfying or… good.
Granola bars were officially added to my growing list of “Things I Will No Longer Buy in a Box.” To fill their place, I decided it was time to make my own. Shocking, I know. I have tried several different recipes, but finally settled ona variation of a recipe I ripped out of a magazine what feels like YEARS ago.
Thesebars areslightly sweet, super dense, and chock-full of good things. With a glass of milk, one square makes a filling, protein-packed snack I feel good about eating and feeding my family. We haven’t bought a box of granola bars in three years, and I haven’t missedthem one bit.
Making granola bars is very similar to making homemadegranola. Once you find the right ratio of fillers (dried fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.) to binders (honey, syrup, peanut butter, etc.), you can mix and match flavor combinations to your heart’s content. (You can also make our no-bake energy bites or homemade larabars for no-bake options.)
Try dried apricots, chopped almonds, dark chocolate, and shredded coconut. Or chopped cashews, mini chocolate chips, and dried cranberries. Or maybe dried mango, flaxseed meal, and coconut. Or…
Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen for 3 months.
4 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 c. all-purpose flour*
1/4-1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. water
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. brown rice syrup or corn syrup
1/3 c. honey
2 t. vanilla extract
2 c. chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, and/or chopped nuts (check the bulk section at your local grocery store for inspiration!)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Cut a rectangle of parchment paper to line the pan bottom of the pan, leaving several inches hanging over each side to create a sling. Grease the parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl,combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the butter, water, peanut butter, brown rice (or corn) syrup, honey, and vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredientsand mix until well incorporated.
- Add 2 cups of chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, and/or chopped nuts.
- Press the mixture evenly into the pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool for about 10 minutes beforelifting thebars out of the pan with the parchment paper sling.
- Lay on a cutting boardand then cut into 12 equal pieces.
*You could easily make this recipe free of gluten! Swap out the flour 1:1 for a good gluten-free flour option and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.
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If you’ve been on the hunt for a good allergy-friendly chocolate chip that actually tastes good, Enjoy Life is an excellent brand! Free of dairy, soy and gluten and no additional garbage preservatives.
Looking for more great uses for oats?
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