How to Make Homemade Granola Bars

Granola bars are a great way to pack whole ingredients in one convenient snack. You can take them anywhere making them easy, portable sources of valuable nutrients. Although granola bars are common in stores, making your own at home gives you total control on the sweetness and ingredients. Try this recipe for a more chewy granola bar with fruits, nuts and seeds, but don’t be afraid to experiment and customize them to your taste.

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Cooling time: 60 mins
Total time: 95 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 12 granola bars

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup oat flour (or 1/2 cup old fashioned oats pulsed in a food processor until finely ground)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raw almonds, rough chopped
• 3/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup dried cherries, rough chopped
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/3 cup creamy almond butter
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven and prepare baking pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F.
   Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on 2 opposite sides to form a “sling.” You will use the overhang to lift the bars out of the pan once they have cooled.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the oats, oat flour, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
3. Prepare the mix ins: Add the chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, chopped dried cherries, and unsweetened coconut flakes or 2 1/ 2 cups of mix-ins of your choice to bowl with oat mixture.
4. Simmer wet ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the almond butter, coconut oil, honey, and corn syrup using a heat proof spatula.
   Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Continue to simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly to ensure the nut butter does not burn. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine and shape granola bars: Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture. Use a rubber spatula to combine until everything is fully coated.
   Transfer the granola mixture to the parchment-lined baking pan. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture and use your hands to spread and press it evenly into the pan. Using the bottom of a cup, firmly press the mixture down until it is even, flat, and compact. Remove the top piece of parchment.
6. Bake granola bars: Place the bars in the oven and bake until the edges just begin to turn golden brown, about 25 minutes.
7. Chill: Remove pan from the oven place on a cooling rack for about 30 minutes. Then transfer the pan uncovered to the fridge for another 30 minutes.
8. Cut and enjoy: Use the parchment sling to transfer the granola to a cutting board. Using a chef’s knife, cut into 12 bars (one cut down the center and 5 cuts across).

Source: Simply Recipes