I’m all about on-the-go snacks but when you buy granola bars or packaged breakfast bars they always have strange chemicals added to allow a longer shelf life or add artificial colors and flavorings. I’m also allergic to peanuts and it would amaze you how many products are made in or on the same equipment as peanuts! That is what drove me to find a homemade alternative. Which ultimately brought me to this website; the author of this blog has a lot of great recipes which are easily changed or are already designed for people with allergies. The original recipe seen here was designed to be dairy and gluten free; I changed a couple things for my version below as I don’t have intolerances to dairy or gluten and the gluten-free products are spendy!
Fantastical Granola Bars
3 cups Oatmeal
1 ¾ cups chopped pecans
1 ¼ cup coconut
¼ cup sliced almonds
5 TBSP SmartBalance ( or butter)
1 cup honey
1/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
1 tbsp. vanilla
½ tsp. salt
6 oz Raisins/Craisins/any dried fruit
1 cup choc chips (Ghirardelli Semi-sweet are dairy free)
Preheat oven to 300. Line a pan (9x13 pan for 24 thicker bars; I use a large jelly roll pan and end up with 48 thinner bars.) with parchment paper- do not skip this step it makes it much easier later.
Sprinkle Chocolate Chips in the bottom of your pan.
Place butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan. Do not heat yet. It’s just easier to prep everything before.
Toss oatmeal, pecans, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan and toast for 10 minutes@ 350. Until lightly browned. Or you can do this over a large center burner in a large saucepan. Either way works. Transfer to large bowl.
Heat butter honey mixture bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.
Add the Raisins/ fruit of choice and stir to combine. Make sure all of the mixture is wet otherwise it will not hold together.
Quickly dump and press the oat mixture in the pan (I use a square of parchment so my hands don’t get sticky!) and bake for 25-30 for the 9x13 (16 minutes for the large jelly roll pan) until golden brown.
Cool for at least 2-3 hours before cutting into bars.
Truly these are delicious! If you decide to make a large batch they freeze very well. If you like more of a chewy bar don't cook as long and add a few more oats. Another tid-bit I love love love chocolate- but as a granola bar there is quite a strong chocolate taste to these bars. I’ve made them twice and each time I’ve decreased the chocolate by a little bit - next time I will probably cut it completely in half!
Fantastical Granola Bars
3 cups Oatmeal
1 ¾ cups chopped pecans
1 ¼ cup coconut
¼ cup sliced almonds
5 TBSP SmartBalance ( or butter)
1 cup honey
1/3 cup dark brown sugar packed
1 tbsp. vanilla
½ tsp. salt
6 oz Raisins/Craisins/any dried fruit
1 cup choc chips (Ghirardelli Semi-sweet are dairy free)
Preheat oven to 300. Line a pan (9x13 pan for 24 thicker bars; I use a large jelly roll pan and end up with 48 thinner bars.) with parchment paper- do not skip this step it makes it much easier later.
Sprinkle Chocolate Chips in the bottom of your pan.
Place butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan. Do not heat yet. It’s just easier to prep everything before.
Toss oatmeal, pecans, almonds and coconut together on a sheet pan and toast for 10 minutes@ 350. Until lightly browned. Or you can do this over a large center burner in a large saucepan. Either way works. Transfer to large bowl.
Heat butter honey mixture bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture.
Add the Raisins/ fruit of choice and stir to combine. Make sure all of the mixture is wet otherwise it will not hold together.
Quickly dump and press the oat mixture in the pan (I use a square of parchment so my hands don’t get sticky!) and bake for 25-30 for the 9x13 (16 minutes for the large jelly roll pan) until golden brown.
Cool for at least 2-3 hours before cutting into bars.
Truly these are delicious! If you decide to make a large batch they freeze very well. If you like more of a chewy bar don't cook as long and add a few more oats. Another tid-bit I love love love chocolate- but as a granola bar there is quite a strong chocolate taste to these bars. I’ve made them twice and each time I’ve decreased the chocolate by a little bit - next time I will probably cut it completely in half!
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