Granola bars are a staple in our home. My children think they are the perfect snack. I used to purchase prepackaged granola bars, but I started making my own a few years ago. I’ve tried several different recipes, some healthier than others, but I’ve finally come up with our favorite version. To help with the cost of making your own granola bars, I would suggest ordering ingredients in bulk.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups Organic Oats Rolled
“>Organic Rolled Oats
- 1/4 cup Butter, Melted, or Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil — 54 fl oz
“>Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 cup Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Light Brown Sugar, 24-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6)
“>organic light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup YS Organic Bee Farms CERTIFIED ORGANIC RAW HONEY 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC HONEY Raw, Unprocessed, Unpasteurized – Kosher 32oz
“>Organic Raw Honey
- 1/4 cup Walnut Acres Organic Juice, Wild Cranberry, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 3)
“>Organic Cranberry Juice
- 1/4 cup Grandma’s Original Molasses All Natural, Unsulphured – 12oz
“>Unsulphured Molasses
- 3 teaspoons Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract Certified Organic, 4-Ounce Glass Bottles (Pack of 2)
“>Vanilla Extract
- 1-1/2 cup Name Your Link
“>Puffed Rice Cereal
- 1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Organic Flaxseed Meal, 16-Ounce Packages (Pack of 4)
“>Flaxseed
- 10 ounces Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Gluten, Dairy, nut & Soy Free, Mini Chips, 10-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6)
“>Chocolate Chips, clean
- Parchment paper to line pan
“>Organic Rolled Oats
“>Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
“>organic light brown sugar
“>Organic Raw Honey
“>Organic Cranberry Juice
“>Unsulphured Molasses
“>Vanilla Extract
“>Puffed Rice Cereal
“>Flaxseed
“>Chocolate Chips, cleanPreparation Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, juice and molasses. Heat the mixture slowly, stirring until all combined. Stir in the vanilla. Toss together the toasted oats, rice cereal, and flaxseed, stirring as you pour. Toss to combine. Press into 2 baking sheets line with parchment paper and allow to cool to for a few minutes (until they are cool to touch). Sprinkle chocolate chips over top of bars and press chips bake until golden, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Cut pieces with a sharp knife and remove from the pan.
One of my children has recently been diagnosed with a nut allergy, so I have opted to eliminate the nuts from the bars. However, there are several variations below.
Variations:
Soy butter or sunflower seed butter: Following all steps through stirring in the vanilla. Then add 1 cup of the soy or sunflower butter and stir until melted. Then follow the rest of the preparation instructions. You could include the chocolate chips or leave them out.
Peanut butter: You can make peanut butter granola bars by following all steps through stirring in the vanilla. Then add 1 cup of organic peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter is melted. Then follow the rest of the preparation instructions. You could include the chocolate chips or leave them out. Personally, I like chocolate and peanut butter together!
Nut: You could chop your favorite nuts and add them in when you toss the oats, cereal and flaxseed.
Dried fruit: Chop your favorite dried fruits add them in when you toss the oats, cereal and flaxseed. I think dried cranberries would be an excellent choice.