These chewy granola bars are the proper wholesome snack for teenagers (and adults). Theyโre gluten-free, nut-free, simple to make and nice for meal prep!
I’ve a number of completely different granola bar recipes on my website already (like these chocolate peanut butter granola bars and chocolate chip almond granola bars), however these chewy granola bars are my new fave!
Iโve made these granola bars so many occasions since first testing them as a result of my kiddos love them a lot and so they donโt final lengthy in our home.
They remind me of the Quaker chewy granola bars that I used to eat on a regular basis rising up, however these are made with better-for-you elements like rolled oats, honey, brown rice cereal and chia seeds. No corn syrup, soybean oil or added preservatives over right here!
One other bonus is that these do-it-yourself granola bars are nut-free, making them an excellent snack choice to pack in your kiddoโs lunch field.
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Why Youโll Love These Granola Bars
- More healthy and cheaper โ On the subject of store-bought granola bars it may be laborious to search out ones that arenโt loaded with added sugar and tremendous lengthy ingredient record. These granola bars should not solely made with easy, healthful elements, however theyโre additionally cheaper than store-bought granola bars.
- Simple โ These granola bars are tremendous simple to make and thereโs no want to show by yourself! Simply combine, press and chill.
- Nice for meal prep โ Make a batch (or two) firstly of the week for a handy, grab-and-go snack thatโs prepared everytime you want it.
- College-Secure โ These granola bars are such a success with my kiddos and so theyโre nut free, making them secure to take to highschool. For one more nut free possibility, strive these nut free granola bars and for extra lunch field concepts take a look at my full publish with a lot of childโs lunch field concepts.
- unsalted butter โ butter provides a wealthy taste and it helps bind the elements collectively.
- honey โ a pure sweetener that helps hold the bars chewy.
- gentle brown sugar โ provides a touch of molasses taste and helps obtain that good chewy texture all of us love.
- rolled oats โ a key element of those bars, rolled oats are hearty and add a chewy texture. Plus, theyโre wealthy in fiber and might help hold you feeling glad.
- chia seeds โ these tiny seeds add a dietary increase with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. Plus, they assist maintain the bars collectively.
- crispy rice cereal โ I really like the added crunch that rice cereal provides to those granola bars!
- dried cranberries โ these add a chewy, tart factor that pairs completely with the sweetness of the bars.
- mini chocolate chips โ I like to recommendย Get pleasure from Life mini chocolate chipsย however be happy to make use of your favourite mini chocolate chips or chop up your favourite chocolate bar and toss the chocolate chunks in!
Recipe Substitutions
- Brown rice cerealย โ That is what offers them slightly crunch and makes the bars style like store-bought granola bars. Should you canโt discover brown rice crisp cereal you should utilize common Rice Krispies.
- Butter โ Should you donโt have butter, or need to hold this recipe dairy-free, I like to recommend utilizing vegan butter.
- Chia seeds โ You may completely skip these in case you donโt have any available or use one other kind of seed of their place, akin to flax seeds or hemp seeds.
- Completely different sweetenersย โ Iโve made these bars with maple syrup as an alternative of honey and so they turned out nice. Should you donโt have brown sugar available coconut sugar ought to work simply positive.
- Add-ins โ Be at liberty to customise these granola bars along with your favourite mix-inโs. Skip the chocolate chips or substitute them with chopped nuts/seeds like almonds, pecans, walnuts or sunflower seeds. And you may substitute the cranberries with different dried fruits like raisins, dates, dried cherries or dried apricots.
Tips on how to Make Chewy Granola Bars
Step 1: Add butter, honey, brown sugar and salt to a small saucepan over medium-low warmth. Warmth till combination begins to foam then take away from warmth and add vanilla.
Step 2: Add your oats, chia seeds, cereal and cranberries to a medium mixing bowl. Toss to mix.
Step 3: Pour the honey combination over the oat combination and toss to mix. Let sit for about 10 minutes after which stir within the chocolate chips.
Step 4: Press the bars into an 8ร8 sq. baking dish, ensuring to press them down as laborious as potential. As you press, add a number of mini chocolate chips on prime in order for you. Place the bars within the fridge to set for not less than 2 hours. Minimize into bars and luxuriate in.
Brittanyโs Tip!
To forestall the bars from falling aside, be certain that to actually use some muscle to press the combination firmly into the baking dish. And donโt neglect to allow them to to sit back for not less than 2 hours within the fridge earlier than slicing. This enables the bars set correctly and makes them simpler to chop.
Storing Granola Bars
Among the finest issues about these granola bars is that they retailer rather well and are good forย meal prep!
After the bars have set, lower and retailer them in an hermetic container (like aย Stasher bagย orย glass container) within the fridge for 1 week or within the freezer for as much as 3 months. I prefer to retailer them after being lower in order that theyโre able to seize and go! Should you do freeze them, simply thaw within the fridge or at room temperature earlier than having fun with them.
Continuously Requested Questions
Two issues seemingly occurred in case your granola bars are too dry or crumbly:
1. You didnโt let the honey and butter combination come to a low boil. Cooking till the combination bubbles reduces the combination and is the โglueโ that holds the bars collectively!
2. You didnโt press laborious sufficient! You actually need to press the combination into the pan lined with parchment paper. Put your again into it and compact that combination!
Should you canโt โsaveโ your granola bars I wager theyโre nonetheless scrumptious loved like granola! Simply make sure you observe the following pointers for subsequent time you make the bars.
Completely! Be at liberty to customise these granola bars along with your favourite mix-inโs. Chopped nuts or seeds like almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are all nice choices. And you may substitute the cranberries with different dried fruits like raisins, dates, dried cherries or dried apricots.
Extra Snacks to Strive
Remember to take a look at my full assortment ofย snack recipesย right here on EBF!
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