Homemade Crunchy Granola Bars
My husband, Matt, LOVES granola bars!!!! To the extreme….I honestly cannot keep them in the pantry. The boys enjoy them as well, so we go quite a few. I have been thinking for a while that I need to begin making our own. I love knowing exactly what goes into what we are eating, and this was not exception. I just haven’t had the time to try a new recipe, but today we did!
And I am so glad we did!! I got the original recipe from the Barefoot Contessa, but I added a couple things to mine.
These things are GOOD…and simple. Which is always a plus at our house. Henry helped me make these, and that is always fun! I really enjoy cooking with the boys. Sure, I get frustrated at the mess and having to take extra steps to make it happen around them, but it is completely worth it to me. To know that I am teaching them to take care of their bodies; teaching them healthy habits, and teaching them how to cook! All of those things will pay off in their lives later on.
Ingredients:
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seeds
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed lightly
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 cups chopped dried fruit (I a mix of dried berries for this one)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×12 inch bakign dish with parchment paper.
2. Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ and flax seed.
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
4. Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dried fruit and chocolate chips and stir well.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.
