Make Granola Bars From Scratch

Homemade Oat Snack Tastes Great and Can Be Much Healthier

Oct 16, 2009 Joanne LaSpina

Granola bars can be a healthy breakfast or snack. Make them from scratch and use nutritious ingredients for a healthy food choice.

Granola bars make a quick breakfast or on-the-go snack. They are healthy, too. Sometimes. The thought of granola bars conjures images of rolled oats, honey combs dripping with golden liquid syrup and fields of grain dancing in the gentle breeze. However, a look at the ingredient label of most packaged granola bars reads differently. Many bars are filled with partially hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup and preservatives.

Why Make Granola Bars From Scratch?

Avoiding packaged granola bars and choosing to make the bars from scratch offers many benefits.

  • Add ingredients based on preference. Don't like raisins? Use chocolate chips, marshmallows or other dried fruits instead. Need to avoid wheat? Substitute a non-wheat flour.
  • Adjust the dryness or chewiness to personal preference. Prefer a drier granola bar? Add more oats and flour and bake a little longer. For a chewier bar, decrease the amount of flour and remove from the oven as soon as the bars look set.
  • Avoid partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. Opt for pure and natural ingredients instead.

Granola Bars for People With Food Allergies

People with food allergies or other food intolerances have a more difficult time finding a safe granola bar. Most packaged bars contain many of the top allergens of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy. By making bars from scratch, the recipe can be tailored to specific food allergies or intolerances.

Best Homemade Granola Bar Recipe

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 3/4 cup raisins, marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, or any other add-ins you prefer (check labels for allergens if necessary)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 egg (if egg allergic, mix 1 1/2 tablespoon warm water, 1 1/2 tablespoon canola oil, 1 teaspoon baking powder until bubbly for a suitable egg substitute)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions;

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/177 degrees C. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins 9other add-ins) and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, water/oil/baking powder mixture, oil, applesauce and vanilla extract. Mix well.
  3. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm.

These bars can also be crumbled for use in yogurt, cereal and cottage cheese.

Homemade granola bars are more economical and versatile than a packaged bar. Try making granola bars from scratch for a healthy and nutritious snack the entire family can enjoy.

The copyright of the article Make Granola Bars From Scratch in Recipes is owned by Joanne LaSpina. Permission to republish Make Granola Bars From Scratch in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Granola Bars, J. LaSpina Granola Bars
   
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Comments

Oct 16, 2009 8:14 AM
bonnie dextraze :
These sound fantastic! I also liked your deep description and details. Great work.
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