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Granola Bar Recipe
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Meet the granola bar recipe of my dreams...easy, fast, and endlessly versatile. These are a weekly breakfast tradition, boasting plenty of energy and protein. You can load it up with healthy ingredients, and even some rather naughty ones too. Have fun inventing new flavors!
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizers & Snacks
Serves: 12-18
Ingredients
  • 1 cup peanut butter or nut butter of any variety (you may warm it if it's too thick)
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1-2 t. vanilla or almond flavoring (or flavoring of your choice)
  • 1 cup total of mix ins: I like ¼ cup of diced up nuts, and ¾ cups of mini chips)
  • 3½ cups of regular oats *or* ¾ c. of crisp rice cereal and 2¾ cups of oats
Other mix in or topping options would be:
  • mini M&M's
  • chopped nuts
  • chopped dried fruit
  • rice crispy cereal
  • seeds
  • protein powder
  • dried berries
  • cocoa powder
  • toffee peanuts (!!!)
  • toasted coconut
  • gummy bears
  • candy corn...just whatever floats your boat.
Instructions
  1. Combine peanut butter, honey, and flavorings in a large bowl.
  2. You may even add a drop or two of food-grade flavoring oils if you wish. Orange oil with cranberries is really delicious.
  3. Stir well to combine.
  4. Add your mix-ins, and stir.
  5. Finally, stir in your 3½ cups of oats (or oat/crispy rice blend).
  6. Mix well until evenly moist.
  7. Mixture should not be dry. If it is, add a bit more honey and peanut butter, a couple of Tablespoons at a time until it reaches a very thick cookie dough consistency. (The consistency of peanut butter varies a good bit, so you may have to play with it a little to find just the right ratios).
  8. Dump into a 9x13 pan, and press down with a square of wax paper.
  9. Cut into squares or bars.
  10. Enjoy!
Notes
I think these taste even better the next day, after the oats soften up just a bit. !Variations There really are endless variations on this basic recipe.
I made a yummy cinnamon and spice granola bar by subbing 2 T. of molasses for 2 T of the honey, and then I stirred in 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon and ½ t. of ginger (or use pumpkin pie spice). I topped it with cinnamon chips. Dried apple would have been yummy in that one too. Or raisins, if you love oatmeal raisin cookies.
My favorite granola bar variation so far has been when I added almond extract, diced raw almonds, dried cherries, white chocolate chips, and dark chocolate chunks.
One mix in that truly goes with any flavor of granola bar is chia seeds. They really don't add a taste, and have a similar texture to poppy seeds. Chia seeds are a "super food" and I love it that they add protein, lots of energy, and staying power to my already healthy snack. !Other flavor variations ideas- Sweet and Salty Peanut
Cherry Almond
Cherry Chocolate Chunk
Pina-Colada
Cinnamon Raisin
Toasted Sesame, Chocolate Chunk & Sea Salt
Cranberry, White Chocolate
Maple, Cinnamon, Walnut, Cranberry, Chocolate Chunk.
S'mores
Dried Blueberry & Nutmeg
Hot Chocolate...or Mexican Hot Chocolate (with a touch of cinnamon!) and Mini Dehydrated Marshmallows
Fruitcake
Gummy Bear & Candy Corn. (pretend you didn't see those last two, OK?)

Recipe by Gwen's Nest at https://gwens-nest.com/granola-bar-recipe/