If you are at work, taking a hike on the nature trails, or going on road trip - You are looking for healthy snacks that are worth the calories and the taste. Well, I got this one covered! It is ........ a healthy granola bar. These are not your basic store brand bars. These are homemade and super easy to make. I found a recipe where I can make 7 different types of granola bars - SAY WHAT?
The best part about the recipe is that some of the ingredients will always stay the same, while others you can mix in for something new!
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars:
For the chocolate chip ingredients
1/2 C Honey
1/3 C coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1/2 c almonds ( coarsely chopped)
3 C rolled oats
1/4 C mini chocolate
For the monster cookie ingredients
1/2 c honey
1/3 C coconut oil
1/3 C peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
3 C rolled oats
1/2 C almonds ( coarsely chopped )
1/2 C mini M& M's
2 T. mini chocolate chips
Directions
You will combine the honey , coconut oil and nut butter ( if you are using it ) in a medium pot. You will bring to a simmer , and once you notice the pot starts to bubbling up all over like crazy . I believe it usually takes 6-8 mins before it will bubble like crazy. The timer depends on what granola bars that you are making : 1 .5 mins is only chocolate and fruit& nuts and the other recipes gets 1 min of cook time.
When the time goes off , you want to remove the pot off the heat. Stir in the vanilla and salt. There all times where you can stir in others ingredients if you were doing only these following granola bars : mocha , double chocolate and snickerdoodle almond butter. For the mocha you will also put in the espresso powder , for the double chocolate you will put in cocoa powder and for the snickerdoodle almond butter : you will add cinnamon. You may want the pan to be cool down for 10 - 15 mins.
Meanwhile , when the pot is cooling down the heat. Prepare 9x9 in baking dish with the parchment paper.
You will stir in the remaining ingredients
For the monster cookie granola bars
Ingredients for the monster cookie granola bars
1/2 C honey
1/3 C coconut oil
1/3 C peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt
3 C rolled oats
1/2 c almonds ( chopped)
1/2 c mini M&M's
2 T mini chocolate chips
Directions
Combine honey , coconut oil , and peanut butter into the medium pot. Before you put the pot on the stove , combine them into a good stir : fully combined. Use a whisk or wooden spoon to check. You want to put the temp. to a simmer like 3 or 4 . Keep stirring the pot. Once it starts to bubble up all over the top : you want to set the timer for 1 mins.
when the timer is up , you remove the heat & stir in the vanilla and salt. Let the pan cool down for 10- 15 mins.
when the pan is cooling down , you can get out small - medium bowl to combine the topping ( chocolate chips , mini M&M's , rolled oats and almonds. Also , you will need 9x9 in baking dish with parchment paper.
When the timer is over , you will stir in your remaining toppings into the pot, and combine it together. You will pour it into the baking dish. You can do the cup method: that is when you put the cup up side down and you do the circle method and roll it with firm touch.
you will cool it in the fridge for 4 hours - overnight , before slicing into bars.
Kate's tips:
For the mini M&M's : I like to combine it with 1 other M&M's
For the chocolate chips : I used the espresso chocolate chips version
Kate's accommodations
1. Ask for help from a parent or someone when you are doing the 1st step.
2. If you have allergy to peanut and/ or almonds you can substitute it
What I have learned: you can make a mistake when you are making recipes.
I learned that that honey can be a pain to cook with. It is easy to cook too long and burn. Just take your time, ask for help, and enjoy it!