Super Yummy, All Natural Granola Bars

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

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