However, there is a lot of back to school talk obviously, since it starts tomorrow for most people, and everybody is talking about lunches, and healthy snacks. And granola bars are often busy Mom's go-to for lunches.
I do love me a granola bar, but I have a hard time embracing the pre-packaged ones in the stores. I decided to investigate making my own. This recipe below is the result of that investigation. I expected they would be a little sticky at first because of the honey, but they ended up being a little crumbly instead. I suggest adding just a little more honey to help keep them together. But they are still pretty tasty and they are a lot healthier and easier to digest than the ones you can buy in the stores.
Fresh & Chewy Granola Bars
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Yield: 16 bars
Calories per serving: 204
Ingredients- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup canola oil or grapeseed oil
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1/2 cup flaxseeds
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts *
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips**
- Pre-heat the oven to 350.
- Line a glass 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray or lightly grease with butter.
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In a large bowl add the honey, egg whites, oil and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
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In another bowl combine the oats, flaxseed, and spices.
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Pour oatmeal mixture into honey mixture until well combined.
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Add to this mixture the nuts, and dried fruit.
- *I'm allergic to walnuts, so I omitted these. You can substitute peanuts or pecans.
- **The chocolate chips are also something that can be substituted for something like dried apricots or something similar. It's all personal taste.
- Spread mixture evenly into baking pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden.
- Let cool for at least 30 minutes, cut into 1" squares or bar shapes.
