Chewy Granola Bars

Granola bars are so easy to make, and such a hit around here. I’m always trying out new recipes, and this one is very tasty. I made it with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour mix this time. It turned out well.

• 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup, agave nectar, etc)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup flour (whole wheat, unbleached, gluten free, whatever)
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 tsp spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, etc.)
• 1 cup dried fruit or chocolate chips

Melt the coconut oil. Stir together with honey, egg, almond butter and vanilla. Add the oats, flour, spices and coconut. Stir together.

Line a 9×13 pan with waxed paper. Press mixture into pan evenly. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes and then lift bars out by the waxed paper. Cut into squares. Let cool completely before taking the bars off the waxed paper, otherwise they will crumble to pieces.

Knock-Off Lara Bars

Wow. These are so good and so easy. My kids love them, and the combinations are endless. Our current favorite is a mixture of cashews and pistachios. Peanuts are overwhelming, so get ready for a strong peanut flavor if you use them.

• 2/3 cup nuts (almond, cashews, pistachios, pecans, etc.)
• 1/2 cup dates, pitted (about 6 whole dates)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• dash of cinnamon or other favorite spices (nutmeg, chocolate powder, etc.)

In a food processor, blend nuts until they are in tiny pieces. Set aside.

Puree dates and raisins together in the food processor until the mixture is smooth. Add nuts and process until combined.

Form mixture into small balls.

Coconut-Cranberry-White Chocolate Granola (Bars)

Okay, this is fabulous. Maybe not the healthiest, but REALLY good. It’s a bit crumbly. I usually make it as granola bars, and about half ends up in bar form. The other half crumbles and we eat it over plain yogurt.

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup honey

Mix together coconut oil, almond butter and honey. Pour over fruit, oats and chocolate chips. Mix well.

Line a 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Press oat mixture into pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool at least 10 minutes. Pull up on parchment paper to remove from pan. Let cool completely and cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Granola bars are very flexible. Add whatever ingredients you like, take out what you don’t like, and bake! Pretty easy, and very yummy. Here’s our current favorite rendition.

• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup dried fruit (blueberries, cherries, cranberries, raisins, coconut, etc.)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, peanuts, etc.)
• 1 cup nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, etc.)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the honey, nut butter and vanilla. Pour over the nuts, fruit and oats. Mix well.

Line a 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Press oat mixture into pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool at least 10 minutes. Pull up on parchment paper to remove from pan. Let cool completely and cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

If there is one thing that my husband would not be able to live without it would be granola bars. Okay, and maybe pizza. Anyway, he loves granola bars and will eat three or four daily. Not only is that expensive, those granola bars are filled with preservatives I would rather avoid in such quantity. So, I have been searching for great granola bar recipes. This one is a hit–I mean, what isn’t there to like about the peanut butter/chocolate combination? Definitely Chris’ favorite.

• 2 1/2 cups oats
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped peanuts (I used roasted, salted peanuts and give them a few pulses in the food processor to make them smaller pieces.)
• 1/3 cup honey

Stir all ingredients together. Line a 9×9 or 8×8 baking pan with waxed paper.  Press granola mixture evenly into pan.

Bake at 325 F for 25 minutes.

One the bars have cooled a bit, lift them out by the waxed paper and cut into squares.