NATIONAL GRANOLA BAR DAY RECIPES

We couldn’t let National Granola Bar Day go by without giving you our favorite homemade granola bar recipes.  Yes, the day really does exist and to be honest, couldn’t be more needed for my household.  I was stuck in a rut making the same 2 bars and seeing National Granola Bar Day on the calendar made be want to shake it up some.  So, I decided to test 2 news bars and both got my family’s approval for being yummy and  satisfying.  But, I posted a recipe for one of my favorite easy homemade bars in September, so check it out too.  I hope you get to benefit from my granola bar rut…..

NOTE:  As a general rule, after I make the bars I store them in wax bags.  These are much easier and more environmentally friendly, not to mention the bars don’t stick.  Also, many of the nuts, seeds, and fruits can be swapped out for your own preferences and tastes.  And as always, using agave instead of honey will make them vegan.

BACK TO THE BASICS GRANOLA BAR

INGREDIENTS:

In a large bowl mix together:

• 4 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, or other toasted if you like)
• 2 cups nuts (I use almonds either sliced or whole that have been tossed in the Cuisinart to break up a bit) you can use a mixture too
• 1 cup flax seeds (or you can use hemp)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded dried coconut, unsweetened
• 1 1/2 cups of your favorite chopped dried fruit (I used apricots)
• 1 1/2 tbls cinnamon

In a small bowl mix together:

• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat oven to 350
• Pour small bowl ingredients over dry and mix with hands
• Prepare a large tray with sides; I use a 1/2 sheet cake pan or you can use 2-9 x 13s; we like ours thinner, but adjust for your liking
• Line the pan with parchment paper for easier clean up (not necessary though)
• Press granola mixture into pan
• Bake 30 minutes

Now for the topping if you want:

• Melt 2 cups of your favorite chocolate when bars have cooled and drizzle on bars
• Sprinkle with 2 cups mixture of shredded coconut, diced fruit, and/or crushed nuts

SUNBUTTER GRANOLA BARS

For those of you who don’t know, Sunbutter is sunflower seed butter.  People allergic to nuts use it, but we just like the taste.  You can use this, almond butter, peanut butter, or whatever you like.  The most important point is that these are an easy, yummy treat, and go fast in my house.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 2 1/2 cups Sunbutter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cup brown rice cereal
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

• Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper
• In a heavy bottom saucepan over a low heat, melt coconut oil, Sunbutter and maple syrup
• Mix remaining ingredients together in a large bowl
• Pour melted Sunbutter mixture over dry ingredients and mix well
• Press mixture down into pan and chill for 3 hours before eating

I hope you enjoy whichever recipe you choose.  You really can’t go wrong……

 – DANA