my version of amanda's awesome homemade granola bars :::

making your own granola bars is a good way to:

sneak extra nutrition into your diet (+ into your kids)

avoid unwanted additives that may exist in store-bought granola bars

load up on healthy proteins + fiber

get a quick dose of energy

use up the rest of the dry cereal that your kids wanted so badly and enjoyed for a bit but now they just won't touch even though it's still perfectly good (we are moving toward not buying/eating dry cereal for so many reasons - it's just not that healthy, it's loaded with sugar and other additives that you probably don't want or need, it comes in a lot of packaging - but i occasionally break down with cereal from the "health food store" for convenience' sake only to re-learn the lesson that buying it is not such a great idea when the family, again, eats half the box and then loses interest + i have to confront my guilt for buying it even though i know it's not such a great idea.  it's a process i'm working on and i'm in a better place with it today than i have been, especially knowing i can use the leftovers in these bars!)

that said, these are really easy to make + very delicious (and adaptable to what you happen to have in the cupboard).  plus we're all appreciating having a healthy, easy-to-grab-as-you-dart-out-the-door snack that's filling enough to get you to the next meal, full of energy + readily available.

i can't tell you how many cookbooks i have in my cupboard yet i keep going to amanda's blog for cooking inspiration.

anyway, here's: 

my version of amanda's awesome homemade granola bars

2 cups organic rolled oats

1/2 cup flax seed, milled 

1/4 cup amaranth

3/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup shredded coconut

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon good quality salt, like himalayan pink or celtic sea salt

 

1/2 cup brown sugar or agave nectar

1/2 cup local honey (great for allergies)

2 tsp molasses (or i used barley malt, 'cause that's what i had)

4 T coconut oil

2 tsp vanilla

4 T peanut butter (or almond butter)

1/2 cup chocolate chips

 

1.    combine the first 8 ingredients and place on a rimmed baking sheet.  toast at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden                  brown.  let cool 15 minutes.

2.    bring the next 4 ingredients to a simmer, stirring continuously.  stir in the vanilla + peanut or almond butter and cool for        2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3.    put the toasted ingredients in a large bowl and pour the liquid ingredients over it.  mix very well.  

4.    place parchment or wax paper in the rimmed baking sheet and butter the top side (coconut oil), then place the granola bar         mixture in the pan.  put another buttered sheet of paper, buttered side down, on top of the mixture and press down (you         can use a rolling pin or the flat bottom of a square container to make it tight, smooth + even).

5.    let set for 2-3 hours and cut into desired bar size.  makes about 20-24 bars.  package in an airtight container with wax         paper layered between the bars or package individually.  store in the freezer or fridge.  they keep really well and thaw very         quickly.  (really yummy frozen too!)

 

Comments

[alexandria]

These look so good. I'm printing this recipe off for sure.

[tifanie]

They WERE really good! Im excited to try the recipe with even more additions/substitutions like different nuts, spelt flakes, raw cacao, etc. Let me know what YOU come up with!

Xo Tifanie

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