My family loves granola bars. Unfortunately, just because a package says “Granola Bars” on it doesn’t mean that it is healthy. As with so many other foods and snacks, I have found that it is cheaper and healthier to make them myself. Here are three granola bar recipes that my kids have loved.
Cakey Granola Orange Date Bars
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey (you can change the flavor of the bars by trying clover honey or buckwheat honey)
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup Tropicana Orange Juice
1 1/2 tsps grated orange rind
1 tsp organic vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup skim milk powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 cups homemade granola
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl, then add honey, eggs and orange juice. Mix thoroughly and stir in orange rind and vanilla. Combine flours, dry milk, salt, and baking powder and add to butter mixture, mix until smooth. Stir in granola, dates, and pumpkin seeds. Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan and bake for approximately 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool in pan then cut into bars.
Nutty Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 package of 40 large marshmallows
4 cups Bran Flakes
2/3 cup All-Bran Buds
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup crushed peanuts
1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup Ocean Spray Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips
Method:
Use a large saucepan on low heat to melt margarine and marshmallows (as though you were going to make Rice Crispies Squares.) Stir until melted then set aside. Add everything EXCEPT your chocolate chips and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips quickly then spoon into a greased 8 x 8 pan or dish. Moisten your hands and press into the pan. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Note: You can omit the chocolate chips from this granola bars recipe, or melt the chips and spread them over the top of the bars once they are in the pan. Enjoy!
Low Fat Granola Bar Recipe
Ingredients:
3 1/4 cups quick cooking Quaker oats (not instant)
1 small can Carnation sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 cup wheat bran
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup margarine, melted.
Method:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients. Spoon into a well greased 9 x 13 inch pan lined with foil. Bake for about 20 minutes, then cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars and store in a tin. This recipe is full of fiber and absolutely delicious!