My daughter loves granola bars, but I don’t like the expense of buying my daughter’s favorite granola bars. I experimented with ingredients while my daughter acted as taste tester. Although she hoped that I would continue to fail, so I would have to keep whipping up new batches for her to try, I finally found a combination that we were both satisfied with. I used organic brown rice syrup, because it does not create the high/crash reaction in my daughter like sugar does. Brown rice syrup is not only a lower glycemic sweetener, it is also less expensive than honey. There are some ingredients that are not found in most pantries, so please adapt this recipe to what you have on hand, it is very forgiving.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup brown rice syrup (or 1/2 cup honey) Reduce brown rice syrup to 1/2 cup to produce a crisper, less sweet bar.
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 Tablespoons coconut oil (or butter) reduce to 2 Tablespoons if you want a crisper granola bar
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats ( I buy gf oats)
1/4 cup almond meal (or wheat germ if you are not gluten intolerant)
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup sunflower kernels
1/4 cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips (or any other flavor)
In a small mixing bowl, combine brown rice syrup, peanut butter, and coconut butter. Add in almond meal. Stir in the oats, sunflower kernels, flax seeds, and cranberries. Fold in chips.
Press into a greased 8 x 12 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. After they are cool, cut into 1 x 4 inch bars. If you try to cut them before they are cool, they will crumble. Makes 12 bars. Store in an airtight container.
Have you come up with a way to make a favorite item a little less expensively or perhaps a little healthier by making it yourself?
This post has been linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, and Tuesday’s At The Table.
Lisa says
MMmmmm, Homemade hun?
Sounds wonderful.
Homemade always tastes better.
Porch Days says
This sounds good. I am looking for a recipe that is cheaper than buying ready made and lower in calories.
withoutadornment says
That is really neat that you substituted almond meal for wheat germ. I'll have to keep that in mind for future recipes!
I’m hosting February’s Go Ahead Honey it’s Gluten Free and I wanted to invite you to participate. The theme is “Tropical Vacation” – I know that I could use one right now! I hope to see your entry!
Chelsey says
This looks great! I've been looking for a chewy granola recipe for my kids (They sure add up at the store for three kids!).
Cole says
Those look yummy and healthy!!
gfe--gluten free easily says
These look and sound great! I love the chewiness and healthiness factors. 🙂
Shirley
heartnsoulcooking says
These sound WONDERFUL!!! and best of all GOOD!!! for you.
Geri
Alea says
Aubree – I think pecan meal would be a fine substitute for almond meal. It will just depend on if you like the flavor combination. I like the complex nutty flavor of peanut butter with almond meal and am now looking forward to trying this recipe with pecan meal.
Darkside – First I went and peeked at your granola and it looks great! Yes, I think you could use your granola ingredients. I would just add it 1/2 cup a time, so you can more easily gage when you have added enough. The dough sticks together, but is not liquidy like a batter. (This is when I regret not doing step by step directions). However, it would probably work best if you added your granola ingredients minus any sweeteners and oils uncooked to the syrup, pb, and oil. I hope this makes sense.
Linda says
These sound great. My granola bars are not particularly chewy and I think I would like that for a change. Also, I love that you added white chocolate chips!
Dark Side of the Fridge says
These sound great! I wonder – do you suppose I could just use, say, 3 cups of my homemade granola in place of the, well, granola ingredients?
(Also, Alea – I've finally gotten my lentil loaf recipe posted over at the Dark Side.)
Melissa says
Those sound good! I've pretty much quit buying packaged granola bars; we like them, but I don't like all the "stuff" that's in them.
Aubree says
These look excellent! I hope I can try them soon. Do you think the almond meal could be substituted for pecan meal and still work just as well?
~Aubree Cherie