Granola Bars

April 25, 2014 by HFE 5 Comments

Most of us are regular consumers of granola bars and we generally resort to the ones sold at grocery stores. Believe it or not, we do make an attempt to eat as healthy as possible, with the occasional slip-ups (which happens more often than we’d like). Hence, we get tempted to make things at home that usually contain a high amount of preservatives (and other junk) that makes otherwise healthy food unhealthy.

The case in point is granola bars. As much as enjoy the boxed granola bars, we have noticed they frequently contain a few too many unhealthy and unwanted ingredients. So we decided to look up some recipes and since our family enjoys nuts, raisins and craisins, we decided to make Almond, Raisin & Craisin Granola Bars.

We found a relatively healthy, super quick, easy & yummy recipe. Here’s the recipe we used; the only exception we made was to add raisins and craisins instead of chocolate chips:

Created By: Joanne and Adam Gallagher

Yield: 12

You Will Need

• 2 1/2 cups (230 grams) old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (80 grams) whole almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup (113 grams) honey
• 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (67 grams) mini chocolate chips

Directions

Prepare Oven and Pan

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line bottom and sides of a 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil. Then lightly oil or spray with cooking spray.

Toast Oats and Nuts

1. Add oats and almonds to a small baking sheet then bake 5 minutes, stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

Prepare Granola Bars

1. Combine butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract and the salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until butter melts and the sugar completely dissolves.
2. Pour butter mixture in to bowl with toasted oats and almonds. Mix well. Let cool about 5 minutes then add cranberries and a 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips. Stir to combine. (The chocolate chips will most likely melt a little. This is fine, they turn into glue and help to hold the bars together).
3. Transfer oat mixture to lined pan then use a rubber spatula or damp finger tips to firmly press the mixture into the pan. (Press hard here, this way the bars will stay together once cooled and cut — We press for about one minute to be extra safe).
4. Scatter remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips over pressed granola mixture then use a rubber spatula to gently press them into the top. Cover then refrigerate at least 2 hours.
5. Remove block of granola mixture from pan then peel away aluminum foil. Cut into 12 bars.

Simple, Soft & Chewy Granola Bars Recipe

Feel free to use your favourite nuts, berries and like. Hope it turns out just as good for you as it did for us!