Straightforward Granola Bars Recipe (Solely 4 Substances!)

The primary time I looked for a selfmade granola bar recipe, I largely discovered no-cook recipes that known as for freezing the bars to assist them maintain collectively. For those who go away that kind of recipe out at room temperature for too lengthy, it’ll soften and disintegrate.

It’s not preferrred for a journey snack!

That’s why I spent weeks making an attempt to determine the best way to make granola bars stick collectively whereas utilizing a pure sweetener like honey. I printed a grain-free model of those bars in my first cookbook, and now I’m sharing a extra basic model with rolled oats.

Because it seems, merely boiling honey for 1 minute is all it takes to show it right into a binder that holds collectively at room temperature. These bars are extremely chewy, with out being sticky, and are simple to customise with any add-ins you’re keen on.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Overview

“Really easy to make and all 3 youngsters have been asking for extra. I really like they the bars don’t disintegrate once you choose them up. We did add 1/4 hemp hearts to the oats. So good! Thanks for the recipe – it’s a keeper!”

– JJ

Granola Bar Recipe Substances

• Rolled Oats. This recipe calls for old school rolled oats, however you may use fast oats, too. For those who want these bars to be gluten-free, be sure you test the packaging. You should purchase oats which are “licensed gluten-free” to keep away from cross-contamination throughout processing.
• Hemp Hearts. This elective, however does enhance the protein for every bar. As famous within the recipe beneath, you’ll be able to exchange as much as a half cup of rolled oats with an elective add in, like hemp hearts, dried fruit, or nuts. (My choosy youngsters solely like hemp hearts as a result of they don’t discover them.)
• Peanut Butter. Use all-natural salted peanut butter for one of the best taste. This implies you’ll need to stir the peanut butter nicely once you first open the jar.
• Honey. This pure sweetener creates one of the best texture for chewy granola bars. Simply boiling for 1-minute makes magic occur! However, you’ll be able to exchange this with maple syrup, if wanted. (The feel is barely much less chewy with maple syrup.)
• Salt. Since honey is the binder, salt is added to assist steadiness the sweetness. The bars will style “too candy” with out this!
• Chocolate Chips. That is an elective topping. Soften them for a fancy-looking drizzle on high.

Easy methods to Make Granola Bars

Step 1:

This recipe strikes rapidly, so it’s essential that you’ve the whole lot else able to go earlier than boiling the honey. First, put together an 8-inch sq. pan by calmly spraying it with oil. Then press a chunk of parchment paper into the pan. (The oil will maintain it in place, so it gained’t wiggle round later.)

In a big bowl, mix the rolled oats, salt, and any elective mix-ins. I normally exchange a 1/4 cup of oats with a 1/4 cup of hemp hearts for additional protein, as a result of my youngsters don’t discover it.

Stir the dry elements, then measure a half cup of peanut butter so it’s able to go later.

Step 2:

Add the honey to a small saucepan then place it on the range over excessive warmth. Convey it to a vigorous boil. As quickly as you see giant bubbles forming across the fringe of the pan, set a timer for 1 minute.

When the timer goes off, take away the honey from the warmth and instantly stir within the peanut butter. The combination will thicken because it cools, so it’s essential to maneuver rapidly at this level.

Pour the peanut butter and honey combination over the bowl of dry elements.

Step 3:

Stir the peanut butter combination into the rolled oats as rapidly as potential. The combination will probably begin to harden because it cools, so be affected person and hold stirring. I normally need to press the spatula into the combination to maintain the whole lot transferring, however finally, the oats shall be coated!

Switch the granola bar combination to the ready pan, then use the spatula to press it firmly and evenly into the underside. The firmer you press, the higher the bars will maintain collectively later.

As soon as the highest appears easy, place the pan within the freezer to sit back for 10-Quarter-hour. This could give the bars enough time to agency up. As quickly because the bars are agency within the heart of the pan, you’ll be able to take away the pan from the freezer and use the parchment paper to raise them from the pan.

Use a pointy knife to slice 12 regular-size bars. My household truly prefers to chop these in half once more, for twenty-four bite-sized bars. (They don’t really feel like such a committment!)

Serving + Storage Tips

When you’ve sliced the bars, you’ll be able to add an elective chocolate coating if you happen to like. I soften the chocolate chips in a double boiler. To make one, fill a small saucepan with an inch of water and convey it to a boil over excessive warmth. As soon as the water is boiling, organize a heat-safe bowl snugly excessive of the pan and add the chocolate chips.

The warmth from the steam beneath will gently soften the chocolate. When the chips look shiny, stir nicely till the chocolate is easily melted. If it’s trying thick, you’ll be able to add a half teaspoon of coconut oil to assist skinny the consistency.

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bars. If they’re nonetheless chilly from the freezer, the chocolate will begin to agency up rapidly. As quickly because the chocolate is agency, the bars are able to take pleasure in.

Storage Tip: These granola bars maintain their form and texture nicely at room temperature. I’ve left them within the pan on the counter for as much as 5 days, and they’re nonetheless nice! With that being mentioned, they’ll final for much longer if you happen to retailer them within the fridge. You may hold them as much as a month in an hermetic container when chilled, or freeze them for as much as 3 months.

Extra Recipes to Strive

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