Photo: Leigh Loftus
Even though a lot of us grew up eating packaged, processed foods and remain free of genetic deformities, there is a definitive backlash against prepackaged granola bars, snacks and even freezer meals.
Though many of the aforementioned arguably have more sugar, sodium and unpronounceable ingredients than truly necessary, you can’t deny the convenience of opening up a protein bar before the gym or popping a Lean Cuisine in the microwave when you get home at 9:00 p.m. and can barely keep your eyes open.
On days where you go from the gym to the office to your social plans or networking commitments, it would be nice to think that you’ll pack snacks like yogurt and low-fat granola, fresh fruit, whole almonds for sustenance.
Ha! Like that will always happen.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
If you’re tired of eating too-sweet or too-salty snacks, it only takes about an hour to whip up a batch of homemade bars. These are perfect to stash in your bag for the late afternoon slump or even to eat as a quick on the go breakfast in the morning.
Yes, these bars are made with flour and sugar, but like they* say, everything in moderation.
Editor’s Note: We don’t know who they is, nor do we believe in moderation with a baked good this delicious.
- 1⅔ cups quick rolled oats
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 to 3 cups dried fruits and nuts*
- ⅓ cup almond butter (peanut butter would work, too)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ cup honey, maple syrup or corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (see Note above)
- 1 tablespoon water
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8″ x 8″ pan with parchment paper, allowing the sides to hang over the edges. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the exposed pan with a non-stick spray.
- Stir together all the dry ingredients, including the fruit and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, melted butter or oil, liquid sweeteners and water. Toss the wet ingredients (including nut butter) with the dry until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Spread in the prepared pan, pressing them in firmly to ensure they are molded to the shape of the pan.
- Bake the bars for 30 to 40 minutes, until they’re brown around the edges. They’ll might appear soft and underbaked when you press into the center of the pan but will set completely once completely cool.
- Cool the bars in their pan completely on a cooling rack. (Alternately, after about 20 minutes you can use your parchment to lift and remove the bars, and place them in their paper on the rack to cool the rest of the way (as I did, pictured above). Once cool, use a serrated knife to cut the bars into squares.
My combination was ½ cup each dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, dried cherries and pecans. I highly recommend it, though you can use any combination of your favorite dried fruit and nuts.
16 Comments
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Nichole
April 28, 2010 at 4:17 pmRock on crouton!
I adore granola bars but am deathly afraid of screwing up the recipe. Maybe I’ll gain the strength to try homemade, it seems fairly simple. And I have come across many a recipe for granola bars, but I like the fact that you list out the rough nutrition info. Granola bars can end up looking like a Snickers if you’re not careful.
Susan
April 5, 2010 at 9:54 pmI’ve always wanted to make homemade granola.
Brian
April 5, 2010 at 11:10 amSitting in front of these now – have had more than a few, even better than they look.
Kerstin
April 4, 2010 at 1:29 amI’ve been meaning to make granola bars for awhile now and SO need to do so! Yours sound incredible and like the perfect pre-workout snack!
Kristen
April 2, 2010 at 11:59 pmMy kids eat granola bars all the time. I’ve never made homemade ones, but you can guarantee I’ll try them now. These look fantastic, Maris!
Chez Us
April 2, 2010 at 4:34 pmWe keep talking about making granola bars, we even have the ingredients in our “tiny” pantry … but have not gotten to it. Yours look fantastic and I love the photo.
How is life by the way?
thatShortChick
April 1, 2010 at 6:23 pmlove homemade granola, especially if it’s chewy!
Robyn
April 1, 2010 at 4:31 pmThese are so what I need right now! I felt the finger wag as I read ur post… When we’re busy processed foods are easier! But not as healthy and definately not as fun!:)
Gaby
March 31, 2010 at 11:04 pmThese look fantastic. I only like granola bars when they are chewy so there are right up my alley! I hear ya on the snack around 4-5 too! If I don’t have a snack I am starved – and then proceed to stuff my face at dinner. never a good thing!! Thanks for the recipe!
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self
March 31, 2010 at 10:32 amThanks for sharing this recipe! I love a thick, chewy granola bar. I’m trying really hard to get away from packaged, processed foods, and yet my daily bar habit is one that I have yet to break. So this recipe is definitely going to come in handy!
kat
March 31, 2010 at 10:03 am& best of all no HFCS!
DebbieQ
March 31, 2010 at 8:40 amI started making homemade granola bars last year. We will never go back. In fact, I think I need to make some today.
Daryl
March 31, 2010 at 8:34 amThey look yummy but for me-more of as a dessert. Too fattening for a snack!!! I do see it as a healthier alternative to other bars tho. At least you know what is in it
ANG*
March 31, 2010 at 2:14 am1) save me one!
2) awesome photo my friend 🙂
lisa
March 31, 2010 at 1:08 amlooks delish! ps – sodium bicarbonate is just a fancy way of saying baking soda. nothing to be afraid of there! 🙂