When the afternoon cravings kick in, I sometimes wander the food court in search of a healthy snack. Though I practically know the (poor) selection by heart, I still naively wish to find something new and healthy that would hit the spot.
Last week, I decided that now was the time to take matters into my own hands. The following recipe for homemade granola bars is healthy, and incredibly delicious. Crumble a bar over some yogurt and fruit for a quick breakfast, or just savour it on its own as a healthy snack or dessert.
Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
Dry ingredients:
- 3 cups whole grain flakes (I used a combination of oat and spelt flakes, but you can also choose a variety of other grains such as rice, barley or kamut)
- 1/2 cup currants or raisins
- 2/3 cup chopped almonds
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 4 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 4 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 4 tbsp shredded coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Wet ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Preheat oven at 350 F. Line a 13 x 9 inches baking pan with parchment paper.
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan, heat oil and add the other wet ingredients. Stir until smooth and pour over dry ingredients. Mix well to combine.
Turn the mixture into the baking pan, and press to form an even layer. Bake for 25 minutes, and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Keep refrigerated (also freezes well).
Note: You can adapt this recipe to your own taste, by replacing the currants with other dried fruits such as apricots or cranberries, and by using nuts instead of seeds. Use your imagination!
Recipe adapted from Alive Magazine. You might also enjoy my Healthy Maple Granola.
Katie
February 6, 2009these look great! I would have to sub soy nut butter for the peanut butter, because we have a child with a peanut allergy. Thanks for the recipe, found you via foodphotoblog.com
Katie
February 6, 2009Thanks for the comment at goodLife {eats}! I did do my design myself. I just made the header and then the background and customized some of the options under the “layout” tab.
Irelandsgem
June 17, 2009This sounds amazingly delicious!
nikki0407
January 11, 2010This looks wonderful! I can't wait to try it! Please visit my blog at http://www.livedietfree.blogspot.com. Maybe we can swap some recipes. I'll definitely link to you.
Blessings,
Nikki
Danielle
February 2, 2010I've made these three different times now and they taste absolutely delicious. I've made them for other people and they've all wanted the recipe. GREAT GREAT recipe and tastes yummy with some plain yoghurt too!
Marie-Ève
February 2, 2010I'm glad you like them as much as I do Danielle! Thanks for your feedback!
Anonymous
February 23, 2010I made these last night but they didn't set. They are completely soft.
What did I do wrong???
Marie-Ève
March 4, 2010It's best to let them cool down completely first otherwise they can be soft as you mentioned. That said, they do tend to be a bit crumbly once cooled down.
Anonymous
October 20, 2010I'm curious as to why these need to be refrigerated? Also, I am trying to avoid the peanutbutter bcs of allergies and can't find the soy nut butter suggested above – any other ideas or can I just leave it out??
Marie-Ève
October 21, 2010I find that the bars hold better if kept refrigerated. You can use any other nut butters. Almond butter would work well also.
gavin
January 22, 2011recipe has had me salivating all week, it's in the oven now…
Steve and Eden
March 26, 2011what do you mean by oat flakes? is it old fashioned oats?
*B*
April 15, 2011OOOH. Love this. Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous
July 20, 2011I often make these without the peanut butter or any other nut butter and they seem to be just fine–I cook them longer than suggested because I like them more on the crunchy side. These are delicious. We never buy granola bars any-more.
kayton marie
October 2, 2011This is a great recipe, I used 1 cup of honey and left the oil and maple syrup out, added chia seeds instead of flax with extra cinnamon— delicious, thanks for this recipe!!
Jo
March 27, 2017This recipe is awesome! I used dates instead of raisins or currents. It is delicious!
cravinggreens
March 27, 2017Glad you like it too Jo!