Homemade Granola Bars
Making your own granola bars is better for your health because you know exactly what’s in them, you get to include all of the fun “add ins” that you like and there are no harmful chemicals! Plus they are much yummier than store bought. I tend to quesstimate, but I will add some measurements as approximates for those who are opposed to that type of cooking.
Ingredients
2 cups of old fashioned oats
One large handful of walnuts (I use Wegmans brand organic whole walnuts)
Two large handfuls of almonds (I use Wegmans brand organic whole almonds)
Two very heaping tablespoons of peanut butter (or another nut butter) about ¼ cup
About 1/3 cup honey, less if you use maple syrup too
About 1/4 cup maple syrup (I did not use in the bars we had at the brunch, I forgot)
About a tablespoon or two of any type of flour, optional (I have used coconut, spelt and wheat flour helps to bind them)
Add ins
Chocolate chips Dried coconut
Raisins Other nuts
Craisins Rice Crispies
In a small saucepan combine the nut butter, honey and maple syrup and heat until it becomes thin. Chop up all of the nuts into small chunks, you can use a food processor or I just do it with my chef knife. Combine oats, nuts, flour if using.
Once the liquid is warm and runny add it to the bowl with the oats and nuts, stir well to coat all of the oats. Add in the chocolate chips and any other add ins. The chocolate will melt a little but that’s ok it helps to bind it.
Line an 8×8 baking dish with wax paper and pour the mixture in and spread it out. I wet my hands and use them to press it firmly into the pan for a minute or so to get it really compact. Then refrigerate for two hours or overnight, remove from the pan and cut into strips. They keep nicely for several days in a large ziplock, if they last that long.
This formula is really just a base and you can experiment with all kinds of things. You can toast the oats in the oven for 15 minutes before hand, not use any peanut butter at all and even leave the nuts as whole.
Let me know what you think. Enjoy!