Discover the Joy of Homemade Granola Bars: A Delicious and Healthy Snack
Homemade Granola Bars Recipe, I’ve been meaning to try homemade granola bars for quite a while now. After printing off countless recipes over the past year, I finally took the plunge. Let me tell you, these granola bars were a revelation! Not only did they taste way better than store-bought ones, but they were also much healthier since I could control every ingredient. No more mysterious additives or unpronounceable chemicals.
If you’ve been skeptical about making your own granola bars, don’t be. They are incredibly tasty, and the possibilities for customization are endless. The only minor drawback is that they don’t hold together quite as firmly as store-bought bars. But to me, that’s a small price to pay for avoiding gooey high fructose corn syrup and instead enjoying real ingredients that are good for us.
In this post, I’ll share the recipe I used, along with some tips and variations to make the bars your own. The original recipe called for dried blueberries, but since they can be expensive, I substituted craisins and added mini chocolate chips. Feel free to get creative with your mix-ins!
Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup milled flax seeds
- 1 1/2 cups coconut
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup craisins, raisins, or dried blueberries
- 1 cup mini semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup agave syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare a large cookie sheet by spraying it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper.
2. Combine dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the oats, whole wheat flour, milled flax seeds, coconut, brown sugar, salt, craisins, and chocolate chips. Stir well to ensure all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, honey, agave syrup, coconut extract, and vanilla extract. Make sure the mixture is well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until everything is well coated and the mixture is evenly mixed.
5. Press into Pan:
Press the granola mixture firmly into the prepared cookie sheet. Use a spatula or your hands to ensure the mixture is evenly distributed and compacted.
6. Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the granola bars are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t overcook.
7. Cool and Cut:
Allow the granola bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, cut them into bars of your desired size. Wrap each bar individually in saran wrap or store them in an airtight container.
Tips and Variations Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
Portion Size: If you don’t need a large batch, simply halve the recipe and press the mixture into a 9×13 inch pan.
Mix-ins: Feel free to customize your granola bars with your favorite ingredients. Consider adding nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or even different types of chocolate.
Sweeteners: If you prefer, you can use all honey or all agave syrup instead of a mix of both. Maple syrup is another great alternative.
Flavor Boosts: Experiment with different extracts like almond, orange, or even a hint of peppermint for a seasonal twist.
Binding: If you find your bars aren’t holding together as well as you’d like, you can add a bit more honey or agave to help bind the ingredients.
Enjoying Your Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
One of the best things about homemade granola bars is their versatility. They make a perfect on-the-go snack, a quick breakfast, or a satisfying dessert. Here are a few ways to enjoy your granola bars:
With Yogurt: Crumble a granola bar over a bowl of Greek yogurt for a delicious and healthy parfait.
As a Snack: Pack them in your lunchbox or take them on a hike for a convenient energy boost.
With Milk: Enjoy them as a cereal alternative with a splash of milk.
Why Homemade Granola Bars?
Health Benefits
When you make granola bars at home, you have complete control over the ingredients. This means you can avoid artificial preservatives, excessive sugar, and unhealthy fats commonly found in store-bought bars. You can also boost the nutritional value by adding superfoods like flax seeds, chia seeds, and nuts.
Cost-Effective
Buying all the ingredients upfront might seem costly, but in the long run, homemade granola bars are much cheaper than buying pre-packaged ones. Plus, you get a large batch that can last you for weeks.
Customization
Homemade granola bars are infinitely customizable. Whether you prefer them chewy or crunchy, fruity or nutty, sweet or savory, you can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes. This flexibility ensures you never get bored with the same old flavor.
Fun and Rewarding
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own snacks from scratch. It’s a fun activity that can involve the whole family. Kids love mixing the ingredients and pressing the mixture into the pan. Plus, they’ll be more likely to eat a healthy snack if they’ve helped make it.
Troubleshooting Tips
While making granola bars is relatively straightforward, here are a few tips to ensure success:
Binding Issues: If your bars are falling apart, try adding a bit more sticky sweetener, like honey or agave. You can also press the mixture more firmly into the pan.
Dryness: If the bars are too dry, reduce the baking time slightly or add a bit more coconut oil or another liquid ingredient.
Storage: To keep your bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the bars and thaw them as needed.
Conclusion
Making homemade granola bars is a rewarding and delicious way to enjoy a healthy snack. By controlling the ingredients, you can create a treat that is not only tasty but also good for you. The recipe shared here is a great starting point, but don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own. Whether you’re packing them for lunch, enjoying them as a quick breakfast, or savoring them with yogurt, these granola bars are sure to become a favorite in your household.
So, roll up your sleeves and give homemade granola bars a try. You’ll be glad you did!
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