Klaire_Desteen
Culinary Explorer
After experimenting with granola recipes for a while now, I'm excited to share my favorite homemade granola bar recipe with you all. Packed with wholesome ingredients, these bars are perfect for a quick and satisfying snack on the go.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup nuts or seeds (such as almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds), chopped
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup nut butter (such as peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional add-ins: chocolate chips, coconut flakes, chia seeds, flaxseeds, cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts or seeds, and dried fruit.
- In a small saucepan, warm the honey or maple syrup, nut butter, vanilla extract, and salt over low heat until well combined and smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- If using any optional add-ins, fold them into the mixture at this point.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and use a spatula or your hands to press it down firmly and evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Allow the granola bars to cool completely in the baking dish before using the parchment paper to lift them out and transfer them to a cutting board.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the cooled granola slab into bars of your desired size and shape.
- Store the homemade granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.