Granola bars make a great on-the-go snack, but many store-bought versions contain added sugars and artificial ingredients. This article uses simple ingredients to show how to make delicious, nutritious granola bars at home.
- They’re easy to prepare in just a few steps.
- You only need basic kitchen staples like oats, nuts, and dates
- The bars last for weeks when stored properly
- Kids love the sweet, chewy treats in their lunchboxes
Why Make Your Granola Bars?
Making granola bars from scratch has some significant benefits over buying pre-made ones:
- You control what goes in, so they’re free of preservatives and other unwanted additives
- Homemade bars have less sugar and are higher in healthy fats and fiber.
- It’s cheaper to make your big batch than constantly buying small boxes
- The process is simple and lets you customize flavours your family enjoys
Easy Granola Bar Ingredients
Photo Credit – Pexels
For this recipe, you need a handful of essential pantry items:
- Old-fashioned oats
- Dates
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Almonds (or other nuts)
- Dried fruit like apples or raisins
That’s it! The dates act as a natural binder, while the oats, nuts, and fruit contain nutrients.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a quick overview of how to whip up a batch of chewy homemade granola bars:
- Make a sticky date paste by blending soaked dates with water
- Cook the date paste into a caramel-like sauce with coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon
- Toast the oats, nuts, and seeds for extra crunch and flavour
- Mix the date sauce, toasted oat mixture, and chopped dried fruit
- Press firmly into a pan and chill for 2 hours until solidified.
- Slice into bars and enjoy! They keep fresh for 1-2 weeks.
Customize Your Creations
One of the best things about this granola bar recipe is its ability to adapt to your tastes. Some variations to try include:
- Using different dried fruits like cranberries, cherries, or mango
- Adding seeds like chia, flax, or hemp for a nutritional boost
- Swapping in other nuts or using a nut-free seed butter for allergies
- Adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or shredded coconut
- Using different extracts like almond or orange for new flavours
Conclusion:
You can make chewy, delicious granola bars at home with just a few simple ingredients. They’re perfect for fast breakfasts, portable snacks, or lunchbox treats. Kids especially love the sweet, satisfying bars. Best of all, you know exactly what’s in them – no mystery additives or preservatives. Try this easy recipe, and let me know your favourite variations! What healthy mix-ins would your family enjoy?
Photo Credit – Flickr
