Just in time for summer snacking--or maybe a little early for Back-to-School--I found this recipe for homemade granola bars (YUM!) and I just had to try it.
Why make your own granola bars?
- Easy-peasy
- Much more delicious
- Very filling
- You can cut them into mini-calorie portions
- You can supplement them for a healthy dessert
- They are no-bake
- You can make them minus the nasty ingredients (like raisins...YUCK...I hate raisins in my granola)
The recipe calls for 2 cups of granola. I outdid myself by making my own granola, but turns out it's pretty easy.
Homemade Granola
Ingredients:
2 1/2C rolled oats
1C assorted nuts (I used almonds and pecans)
1/4C seeds (whatever kind you like...I was out so I doubled the sesame seeds and
flax seeds)
2TBSP sesame seeds
2TBSP flax seeds
1C coconut (shredded sweetened)
1/2 TSP Cinnamon
1/2TSP Nutmeg
1/2TSP Allspice
1/8 tsp salt
1/2C coconut milk or oil
2TBSP lowfat butter (melted butter)
1/4C honey
Combine wet ingredients (milk/oil, melted butter, honey) in a large bowl and mix well. Add spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt) and mix well. Stir in seeds, nuts and oats and mix well.
Spread granola mixture on a greased (or lined with parchment paper) large baking sheet and cook at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients:
4
tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar or brown rice syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain granola
1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips - See more at:
http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/#sthash.AOOM7IaC.dpuf
4TBSP lowfat butter or thick, canned coconut milk (I used coconut milk)
1/4C brown sugar
1/4C honey
2C granola
1C cereal (like Rice Crispies or Chex...I've even used Frosted Flakes)
1/4C chocolate chips
4
tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar or brown rice syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain granola
1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips - See more at:
http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/#sthash.AOOM7IaC.dpuf
4
tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar or brown rice syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain granola
1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips - See more at:
http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/#sthash.AOOM7IaC.dpuf
Line or grease a shallow baking sheet.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine butter/milk, brown sugar and honey and stir until liquid (about two minutes). Remove from heat. Slowly stir in cereal and granola and mix until well-combined.
Spoon mixture onto baking sheet and use a rolling pin to flatten to desired thickness. Let cool for about 5 minutes and then press chocolate chips into the surface using a spatula. Cool in the fridge for another 5 minutes and them slice into bars using a sharp knife.
Combine
butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until the butter is melted. - See more at:
http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/#sthash.AOOM7IaC.dpuf
4
tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar or brown rice syrup
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain granola
1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips - See more at:
http://backtothecuttingboard.com/dessert/no-bake-chewy-granola-bars/#sthash.AOOM7IaC.dpuf