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Chewy granola bars. What’s not to like? They are my husband’s favorite snack and the kids gobble them up. I adore how easy and quick they are to throw together and are just as sweet and chewy as those “boxed” varieties without all of the “hidden” ingredients. The recipe I use is an adaptation from good old King Arthur. Sweetened with raw honey, real maple syrup and dried fruit. The honey and addition of extra virgin olive oil (feel free to substitute coconut oil) keeps them fresh and chewy for at least a week. If they last that long. Seriously, once you see how quick and easy these are to make, I don’t think you’ll ever buy boxed granola bars again.
Naturally Sweetened, Chewy Oatmeal Raisin and Cranberry Granola Bars
The greatest thing about making your own granola bars is that you can add any variety of dried fruits and nuts that you’d like. Big brother made this batch and decided to add raisins, cranberries and chocolate chips. I think Dad will approve 😉
Ingredients:
- 1 2/3 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups dried fruits and nuts (We used raisins, cranberries, and chocolate chips)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup Star brand California Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbls real maple syrup
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F and butter a 9″ x 13″ pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients including fruits and nuts.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk all of the wet ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
4. Add the granola bar mixture into the prepared pan, evenly spread through and gently pat down.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until they are golden around the edges.
6. Remove the granola bars from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges.
7. Allow to cool for an additional 15-20 minutes. Slice and transfer to a cooling rack slowly. Allow to cool through.
You can store the granola bars by wrapping in plastic wrap or on parchment paper covered in a glass container.
What are your favorite granola bar flavors?
This post is sponsored by Star Fine Foods and their new line of California Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Yummy! Can’t wait to try these!
These look yummy and I can’t wait to try them!!!
DANGIT! That’s what I forgot to bring to work this morning.
These look great! I want to make them today but I’m out of maple syrup. Any suggestions? More honey?
Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by. You know, if you have a natural unrefined cane sugar (which still retains rich dark molasses, http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2011/12/a-simple-introduction-to-natural-sweeteners-and-how-to-use-them/), like rapadura or sucanat… that would be a great alternative. If not, brown sugar would also work. Hope that helps 😉
I do have some organic unrefined cane sugar. Thanks! I’m also going to use some great dried tart cherries that I have. Mmm, can’t wait!
What a lovely bar. My husband and I just mad a batch and were contemplating the chocolate and cranberry combination. The only thing that deterred us was the price on the organic cranberries. It would have cost us $7.95 just for the cranberries. Ouch. Do you have a good source for cranberries? I’d love to give these a try, if I can find some at a decent price.
Hi France, thanks for stopping by 🙂 I get all of my organic dried fruits at Trader Joes. You just can’t beat the prices there. They’re usually around 3.99 for an 8oz package but just recently had an awesome sale at 2.99 a bag. If you don’t have a Trader Joes, does Azure Standard have a drop point where you are at? Before TJ opened, I used to get my dried fruits through them.
Great recipe. We used cranberries, chocolate chips and pecans. Mine were a bit thinner than yours, but that didn’t matter. They turned out great!
Thanks for sharing that Holly! That’s great to hear. One way to make them a bit thicker is to use a smaller pan. Thanks for stopping by to share ;D
I’m always making different versions of homemade granola bars for us. Love the addition of EVOO!
Very yummy looking snack it is.. 🙂 My daughter and I will definitely love to try it ourselves..
My recipe is very similar and for a special treat I sometimes add 1/3 cup cocoa and/ or raw coconut flakes – my kids love this!
I have a question about the raw honey. Do you heat it first? The jar I purchased is in solid form, like coconut oil. Hope this isn’t a stupid question!
Nicole, not a stupid question at all. Since raw honey is unpasteurized, it will crystalize at colder temps. To get it back to a liquid form, yes, just put a pot of water to a slow boil, not too hot and then put your honey in the water. Keep an eye on it. Once you start to see it melt on the bottom, give it a good stir. You don’t want it to get too hot as that will kill some of the beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.
Where do I find ur complete blog with the pb bars?
Lisa, I’ll post it next week! I’ve had many people asking for it!!
how many servings does this make?
It makes about 12 bars.
I have blueberry syrup. Do you think that would work instead of maple syrup?
Yes, that should work just fine! I think I’d like to try that 😀
My husband loves peanut butter. Can I use that instead of the olive oil or so I include as part if the mix ins?
Can I substitute oat flour for the whole wheat pastry flour? If so would it be the same amount? These look great. I’ve tried other recipes and they are all too crumbly but these look like they will hold together pretty well. They are for my toddler as I’m looking for on the go healthy snacks for him.
CC, yes, oat flour should work just as well. These bars are a bit softer. Check out my other recipe that is much more popular…http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2012/11/how-to-make-your-own-better-than-store-bought-chewy-granola-bars-in-any-flavor/
This sounds like a great recipe, my sons love granola bars. Recipes I’ve tried in the past were long winded, this seems a lot simpler. I will give these a try.
How necessary is the pastry flour? Can I omit? or substitute with WW flour, or AP flour?
Your recipe is the bomb! I just knew these bars were going to taste great. The whole house smells so good…..toasted nuts and cinnamon.
And they taste fantastic! You’re right….I’m never buying another granola bar at the store. These are so much better!
That’s great to hear, Teresa!
hi your granola looks tasty. I was wondering where I could purchase the cooling rack pictured with them…thanks