Homemade granola bars are my favorite go to snack when we rush out the door. I simply grab one or several from the freezer, pack them in my bag and off we go. There is not always a lot of time to preplan snacks on the go, and homemade granola bars are a great go to item. Other snacks I like to grab when rushing out the door are bananas, apples, and crackers.
Here are 2 fantastic homemade granola bar recipes from 2 special women I know:
Nonna’s Homemade Granola Bars
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey (for vegan try agave nectar or maple syrup)
½ cup coconut
½ cup grated carrots
½ cup chocolate chips (for vegan use dairy-free chocolate chips)
½ cup cranberries or raisins
3 ½ cups oatmeal
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 ⁰ F
In a saucepan melt peanut butter and honey over medium low heat.
In a large mixing bowl combine coconut, grated carrots, chocolate chips, and cranberries, stir.
Pour the melted peanut butter-honey mixture into the mixing bowl and stir to combine.
Lastly, stir in the oatmeal.
Pour into a 9x13inch pan, spreading evenly.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
*Try substituting the coconut, carrots, chocolate chips or cranberries for some of your favorite ingredients.
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To Print, Text, or Email Nonna's Homemade Granola Bars click here.
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The last time I made these granola bars I switched things up using ingredients I already had in the house and made them with:
Peanut butter
Honey
Unsweetened coconut
1/2 of a 90% cacao Lindt chocolate bar, chopped
Raisins
Sliced almonds
Oatmeal
It is a fun recipe to get creative with and make into your own special creation!
Shauna’s Yummy Granola Bars
3 Cups Large Flake Oats
2 Cups Crisp Rice Cereal
1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut
¾ Cup Each of Almonds and Walnuts (Crushed)
1 Cup Dried Cranberries (or you can try Raisins, Apples or whatever dried fruit you like- I chop them up in a grinder for my toddler)
½ Cup Butter (for vegan, try a vegan butter substitute such as Earth Balance)
½ Cup Honey (for vegan try agave nectar or maple syrup)
1 Cup Brown Sugar
Directions:
Combine oats, rice krispies, coconut, nuts and cranberries and stir to mix.
Melt butter in large pot over medium-low heat. While stirring, add honey and brown sugar.
When mixture starts to bubble add dry ingredients and stir well. Stirring constantly, cook for approximately 6 minutes.
Press into lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Use a large flat utensil (i.e. potato masher) to firmly press bars into pan. (I've also tried putting a layer of chocolate chips on the bottom of the pan before pressing the granola bar in - if you want it even yummier)
Cool completely and cover. Leave in pan and cut to desired size as needed or cut into individual bars and wrap. Your choice. Enjoy!
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To Print, Email, or Text Shauna's Yummy Granola Bar recipe click here.
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Thank you very much ladies for sharing your wonderful homemade granola bar recipes!
If you had to pick one favorite ingredient you like in a granola bar what would it be?
With love & gratitude,
Wendy Irene