I think many couples are at opposite ends on various different things – some small, some huge & some really don’t matter. One thing for the hubs & I – granola bars. He absolutely LOVES those crunchy granola bars that come in the little 2 pack & are all filled with that sweet honey flavor. Me- I really could take them or leave them. I’m more of a “if I’m going to eat a granola bar – I want it to be soft & chewy & packed full of chocolate chips” sort of person. Well – in my little list of nice things I’d like to do for the hubs has been the task of making him Homemade Granola Bars. The plan- make them just like he loves & then toy with the recipe to figure out how to make my perfect granola bar later. So this past week – that’s exactly what I did. He was BEYOND THRILLED.
Once in a while I make something that has him so over the top excited that I can completely change his tune about the store bought version. These granola bars are one of those things. He was quite impressed that I was able to make them & in his words “make them better than the store bought ones” he loves so much.
The kids loved them too. I did have one- for quality control you know. Don’t tell him – but I was pretty impressed myself & will probably enjoy a few before they are all gone. Don’t get me wrong- I’m still on a mission to make my version of perfect. But these really are quite tasty.
Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 3-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cups peanuts - rough chopped
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment - I used 3/4 sheet pan
- Combine the oats, oil and salt in a large bowl and mix until the oats are evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
- Bake 20-25 minutes- stirring every 10 minutes
- Remove the oats and lower the oven temp to 300 degrees.
- Place the rough cut nuts in large bowl with toasted oats
- Combine the honey and brown sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, to dissolve the sugar.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and cinnamon
- Pour over oats & nuts and stir with a large rubber spatula until thoroughly coated with the honey mixture.
- Line 9x13 baking sheet with foil & spray with cooking spray
- Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet and press into an even layer.
- Bake until golden, about 30-35 minutes.
- Cool in the baking sheet, on a wire rack, for 10-15 minutes before cutting into bars
- Cut the bars and then allow them to completely cool.
- Do not wait longer than 15 minutes before cutting the bars as they will crumble
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Want more great snack ideas?
Blackberry Whole Wheat Mini-Donuts
To see where I am linking today- visit HERE
Tamar says
I am with him – I love those crunchy bars! I may have to try these!!
Tracy says
These sound yummy. Kids love crunchy bars I love soft chewy ones. We have nut allergies, what would be a good substitute?
Gina Kleinworth says
Hmmm- Since our family doesn’t have allergies to nuts you would probably know more about what is on the good list for your family than I would Tracy. Are seeds okay? If so- I would say maybe sunflower seeds or something of the like. What sort of crunchy snacks do you use in place of nuts in your regular diet? You could just omit the nuts from the recipe & have just the granola. It will just make a little less. I don’t recommend things like raisins or dried fruits before the baking process because they dry out too much. You could press them in while the bars are still warm after baking though.
Tracy says
We usually just avoid recipes with nuts. Hoping to add some new recipes this year. Learning what can be omitted, substituted, etc.
Gina Kleinworth says
I think it’s a great idea to find new things to try Tracy. I would probably start with adding seeds like sunflower or pumpkin to recipes that call for nuts. They can really offer a lot of flavor & nutrients.
Danelle says
I am totally on your side in the great granola bar debate! 🙂 These do look pretty tasty though, and definitely better than store bought. Hope your New Year is off to a great start!