Homemade Granola Bars the kids will love

cooked peanut butter granola bars

Dry Ingredients

Granola Bars at the store are so convenient but overpriced and I'm not so sure of what is in them is what we really need or want.  So I really like to make my own granola Bars and wrap them up individually in saran wrap and it's an easy snack for kids.  Here is two recipes I really like.  What I love about granola and granola bars is you really vary it to your own tastes and add other nuts, seeds, fruits to make it your own.  I like to experiment with it and get my kids input and help on the creations.  It's fun!

Honey Fruit Granola Bars
4 cups oats (I like traditional but you can use Quick also)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 1/2 nuts (you pick your fav)
1 cup fruit (raisins, apricots, cranberry, dates)
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
dash salt
Combine oats, nuts and raisins in a large bowl; mix well and set aside. Combine honey, butter, cinnamon, vanilla and salt in a saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat and boil 1 minute.Pour honey mixture over oat mixture; toss until well blended.  Spread Granola onto Parchment lined 8 1/2 X 11 cake pan.  Compact down by spreading wax paper over and pressing with hands on wax paper.  Remove wax paper and  Bake at 350°F 20 minutes or until lightly browned;  Cool.  Once cooled to room temperature cut and wrap in saran wrap.  Stays good for about 2 weeks.




Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
3 cups oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup nuts (my favorite is almonds)
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips (divided)


Mix the oats, nuts, coconut, seeds and 1 cup of chips together in a bowl.  Heat the oil, maple syrup, and honey until warm then pour over the nut mixture and toss to coat.  Line 8 1/2 X 11 Cake pan with Parchment paper.  Spread 1/2 cup of Chocolate Chips on the bottom and portion butter on top top of chips.  Spread Granola onto Parchment lined 8 1/2 X 11 cake pan.  Compact down by spreading wax paper over and pressing with hands on wax paper.  Remove wax paper and  Bake at 350°F 20 minutes or until lightly browned;  Cool.  Once cooled to room temperature cut and wrap in saran wrap.  Stays good for about 2 weeks.


Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
3 cups oats
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup peanuts
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips (separated)
1 cup peanut butter
Mix the oats, wheat germ, nuts, 1 cup of chocolate chips in bowl together.  Heat up oil, maple syrup, and honey until warm then add vanilla and peanut butter.  Pour mixture  and toss to coat. Line 8 1/2 X 11 Cake pan with Parchment paper.  Spread Granola onto Parchment lined 8 1/2 X 11 cake pan.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of chocolate chips on top and compact down by spreading wax paper over and pressing with hands on wax paper.  Remove wax paper and  Bake at 350°F 20 minutes or until lightly browned;  Cool.  Once cooled to room temperature cut and wrap in saran wrap.  Stays good for about 2 weeks.