Chewy Granola Bars

 

Granola bars have been our favourite snack as it is so handy to bring around. We have been buying granola bars on a regular basis especially the “Sweet and Salty” chewy types as we don’t really like the crunchy type. Having watched some cooking programs which include granola bars making, it seems fairly easy after all to make your own granola bars. I have decided to try the recipe provided by Eggs on Sunday blog. The good thing about making your own granola bars is that you are in control of what go into the granola bars!

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup oat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 to 3 cups dried fruits and nuts
1/3 cup peanut butter or another nut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup honey/maple syrup
2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola
1 tablespoon water

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8″x8″ pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Stir together all dry ingredients (oats through fruit & nuts). Separately, in a microwave-safe bowl, combine the melted butter, honey or maple syrup, oil and water. Add the nut butter if using, and microwave for about 1 minute at 30% power to soften (this makes it easier to mix into the liquid ingredients.) Whisk together to combine, then stir in the vanilla.

Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and stir to thoroughly combine. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan, using the back of a spoon (or your hands) to firmly press the mixture into the pan.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Let cool completely in the pan.

Use the parchment paper as handles to lift the baked mixture out of the pan, then slice into bars with a sharp knife.  (If the mixture seems to crumbly, try chilling in the fridge for 20 minutes or so.)

For the dried fruits and nuts, I used a mixture of raisins, mini chocolate chips, walnut, flaxseed and sunflower seeds. Overall, it tastes good but just a bit crumbly. I kept some in the fridge and some in the freezer. Probably I would try using different mixture of dried fruits and nuts in the future. I would say omit the raisins and chocolate chips if it is for adult consumption.