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To make the best homemade granola bars, you need some key ingredients: - 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans) - 1/2 cup sunflower seeds - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup dried blueberries - 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup - 1/3 cup nut butter (almond or peanut butter) - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt These ingredients give your bars a great mix of flavor and texture. The rolled oats form the base. They keep the bars chewy. The nuts add crunch and healthy fats. Dried fruits bring sweetness and chewiness. Sweeteners like honey or maple syrup help bind everything. Nut butter gives a rich taste and helps with texture. Lastly, vanilla extract and sea salt enhance all the flavors. You can make your bars unique with these optional ingredients: - 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips - Coconut flakes - Chia seeds or flaxseeds Dark chocolate chips add sweetness and a touch of indulgence. Coconut flakes give a tropical twist. Chia seeds or flaxseeds boost the nutrition. They add fiber and omega-3s. Feel free to mix and match these options to create your favorite flavor! For the full recipe, check out Nutty Berry Bliss Granola Bars. 1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave extra paper hanging over the sides. This makes it easy to lift out your bars later. 2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a big bowl, add your rolled oats, mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dried blueberries. Stir it all together well. You want a nice, even mix of textures and flavors. 3. Create the Wet Mixture: Grab a small saucepan. On low heat, combine honey and nut butter. Stir it as it warms up. You want it smooth, not hot. When it’s ready, take it off the heat. Add in the vanilla extract and sea salt. Stir again to combine all the flavors. 4. Pour Wet Mixture Over Dry Ingredients: Now, pour your warm mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or spoon to mix it all together. Make sure every piece gets coated well. This step helps bind everything. 5. Properly Fold in Optional Ingredients: If you want to add chocolate chips or any other extras, do it now. Gently fold them into the mixture. This helps keep the chips from breaking. 6. Correct Baking Time and Temperature: Transfer your mixture into the prepared pan. Press it down firmly with a spatula. Bake in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Look for golden edges to know it's done. 7. Cooling Tips Before Slicing: Once baked, pull it out of the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper to lift it out onto a cutting board. Allow it to cool completely before slicing into bars. This helps them hold their shape better. For the full recipe, refer to the provided details above, and enjoy making these tasty treats! To avoid crumbly bars, use enough binding ingredients. Honey or nut butter holds everything together. Make sure to mix them well with the dry ingredients. Press the mixture firmly into the pan. This step is key to getting a solid bar. To ensure even baking, spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Bake until the edges are golden brown. This gives a nice crunch while keeping the center chewy. You can play with flavors to keep things fun. Try adding cocoa powder for a chocolate twist. Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth. Adjust the nuts and seeds based on what you have. More almonds will give a nice crunch, while pumpkin seeds add a unique flavor. To boost protein content, add protein powder to the wet mixture. You can also increase the number of nuts and seeds. This makes the bars more filling. If you want lower sugar alternatives, use unsweetened applesauce instead of honey. This keeps the bars moist while cutting down on sugar. You can also reduce the amount of sweetener in the recipe. {{image_2}} You can have fun with flavor! Here are two tasty ideas: - Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars: Mix in cocoa powder and use peanut butter. It gives a rich, chocolatey taste. - Tropical Coconut and Pineapple Bars: Add shredded coconut and dried pineapple. This will make you feel like you’re on a beach! Want to change things up? Here’s how: - Nut-Free Version Options: Use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower instead of nuts. This keeps it safe for school snacks. - Gluten-Free Alternatives: Swap rolled oats for certified gluten-free oats. This way, everyone can enjoy your bars! Make your bars fit the season! Try these: - Fall-Inspired (Pumpkin Spice): Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice mix. It gives a warm, cozy flavor perfect for autumn. - Winter Variations (Spiced Cranberry): Use dried cranberries and add cinnamon or nutmeg. These spices warm up the cold months. Don't forget to check out the Full Recipe for more ideas! To keep your homemade granola bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from getting stale. A glass jar or a plastic container will work well. If you want to grab a bar on the go, wrap each one in parchment paper or plastic wrap. This makes it easy to take them anywhere. Homemade granola bars can last about a week when stored at room temperature. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge, and they may last up to two weeks. To keep them fresher, avoid exposing them to air and moisture. You can also place a piece of bread in the container to help absorb moisture. You can freeze granola bars if you want to store them for a longer time. Just wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. Place all the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. When you want to eat one, take it out and let it thaw in the fridge. For the best taste and texture, eat them within three months of freezing. To make granola bars from scratch, gather all your ingredients first. You need rolled oats, mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, dried fruits, honey or maple syrup, and nut butter. Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a small pan, warm the honey and nut butter until smooth. Then, combine this wet mix with the dry ingredients. Press the mixture into a lined pan and bake until golden. Let it cool, then slice into bars. You can find the complete steps in the Full Recipe. Homemade granola bars offer many health benefits. You control the ingredients, so you can avoid added sugars and preservatives. They usually contain whole grains and healthy fats. Compared to store-bought bars, homemade ones are often higher in fiber and nutrients. With fresh ingredients, they taste better too. You can choose fruits and nuts you love for added flavor and health. Yes, you can easily modify the recipe. If you have nut allergies, use seeds instead of nuts. For gluten-free options, choose gluten-free oats. You can swap honey for agave syrup or maple syrup if you're vegan. Make sure to check labels for allergens in all ingredients. Homemade granola bars last about a week when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They will stay fresh for about three months in the freezer. In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious homemade granola bars. We covered essential ingredients like rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruits, along with optional add-ins for flavor. You learned step-by-step instructions to prepare, mix, and bake your bars. Tips for perfect texture and variations were also provided. Homemade granola bars are tasty, healthy, and easy to customize. Enjoy crafting your own bars to fit your taste and dietary needs! Keep experimenting for endless flavor combinations.

Homemade Granola Bars

Tired of sugary store-bought granola bars? Dive into the world of homemade granola bars with this easy and healthy recipe! Using wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruits, you can create customizable snacks that are both delicious and nutritious. Perfect for on-the-go munching! Check out the full recipe and tips to make your own delightful bars today and fuel your day with healthier treats! Click through to get started!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, and pecans)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1/3 cup honey or maple syrup

1/3 cup nut butter (almond or peanut butter)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Optional: 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang for easy removal later.

    Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dried blueberries. Stir until evenly mixed.

      Prepare Wet Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey (or maple syrup) and nut butter. Stir continuously until the mixture is just warm and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract and sea salt.

        Combine Ingredients: Pour the warm honey-nut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir well until everything is evenly coated. If you’re using chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage.

          Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to firmly press the mixture down into an even layer.

            Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

              Cool and Slice: Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment overhang to lift it out of the pan onto a cutting board. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.

                Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to a week or wrap individually for a quick grab-and-go snack!

                  Prep Time: 10 min | Total Time: 40 min | Servings: 12 bars