I am always on the go, so having easy, ready-to-go snacks in the house is essential. These homemade granola bars are full of flavor, delicious, and extremely easy to make. They use simple ingredients without all the extra additives found in most store-bought bars.
There are five things I firmly believe in: always be kind, the power of prayer, staying active, eating healthfully, and the importance of snacks. Lots and lot of snacks. Mid-morning snacks. After lunch snacks. Pre-dessert, post-dinner snacks. I believe in it all.
I legitimately have a night stand dedicated to this firm belief. It is filled to the brim with every treat imaginable. So filled that closing it has become a major life challenge. It is a constant battle between the drawer and my snacking habits.
Needless to say, the snacks ALWAYS win.
So, for all my fellow snack addicts, these granola bars are for you. Yes, YOU.
They are easy to make and use ingredients that don’t make us go “um.. How do you pronounce that?” Mhm, looking at you, store-bought granola bars. You amazing, addictive, questionable treats.
I mean, no hate. Because, we all need some debatable ingredients in our diets every now and then. Buuuut.. why waste those ingredients on something that can be so easily made at home?!
Homemade granola bars for the win!
Honey Almond Granola Bars
These granola bars are as delicious as the store-bought ones without all the extra additives and questionable ingredients! They are easy to make and perfect for on-the-go!
Ingredients
½ cup honey
½ cup natural creamy nut butter (whichever you prefer!)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon flaxseeds
1 cup almonds, chopped
1 cup brown puffed rice cereal (Use GF if necessary)
1 & 1/3 cup old-fashion oats, lightly pulsed
1/3 cup whole old fashion oats (Use GF if necessary
Pinch of salt (optional)
-Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. -In a large bowl, combine honey, and nut butter. If your nut butter is thick (like mine is), place in the microwave or over a stovetop for one minute. Remove mixture and stir vigorously until it is fully blended. Add in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and flaxseeds. -Next, add rice cereal, pulsed oats, whole oats, and salt (if using). Stir until mixture is evenly combined. -Using a spoon, pour mixture into the lined square pan. Then, use an item with a flat bottom to press down firmly (I used the bottom of a rectangular container).It’s important to make sure to press as hard as possible that way they do not fall apart. -Place in the freezer or one hour or the refrigerator for at least two hours before cutting. -You don’t want you mixture to be too wet. If you feel it is, add in extra oats. Otherwise the bars will not hold together.Directions
-Wrap each bar individually so that they are easy to grab when on the go! -I have used multiple kinds of nut butters in the recipe and all have come out wonderfully. The nut butter you choose is entirely up to you BUT make sure it is a natural kind without all the extra additives. -Feel free to use whatever type of nut you prefer. -If you have a nut allergy, try using sunflower seed butter and seeds instead!
Jillian Lolo 