The thought behind handing our kids a granola bars is that it is healthy, right?! Better than a cookie at least?! Unfortunately, the list of ingredients in most pre-packed bars contain more that a few words I cannot pronounce. And possibly worse: many contain high fructose corn syrup.
But my kids love them and they are an easy, portable snack.
But my kids love them and they are an easy, portable snack.
Determined to find a better way to satisfy their hunger and my need to stay out of the kitchen at snack time, I discovered granola bars are quite easy to make at home . . . with ingredients you have on hand . . . and without much fuss. Yes, it requires baking, but baking one or two batches may satisfy snack cravings for weeks to come!
The kids adored my version so much I'm not sure I'll ever try the original.
Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients
4 cups old fashioned oats1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup chocolate chips {can substitute raisins or other dried fruit}
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup agave nectar
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Combine the first 5 {the dry} ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, vanilla extract, honey and agave nectar. Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture and stir to combine.
Place granola mixture on a parchment lined {or spilit pat}baking sheet and shape into a rectangle, about 13 x 9 x 1 inch thick. Bake for 40 minutes.
Allow to cool completely then cut into 3 x 1 inch bars.
Enjoy!
What homemade snacks or easy fixes have you discovered?
