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Packed with nutty and fruity flavors, these Homemade Granola Bars are the perfect on the go snack!
The start of the new year is over already! Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or just be more conscious about what you eat? Are healthy snacks something you are trying to eat more often?
I know it’s easy to make those resolutions but oh-so-hard to keep them! I had been losing weight over the last 6 months or so, but when the holidays came around, I lived like a queen.
It was fun to eat all that junk, but sure enough, I’m paying the price now! I gained 5 pounds back and it’s been so hard to get those off again!
One way I control my weight better is to keep snacks in the house that I won’t regret eating. So I went searching for a recipe for homemade granola bars.
I found one that I liked on Pioneer Woman and changed things up just a little bit. The result was a tasty, satisfying snack that I don’t regret eating!
When I saw these mini dried prunes, I knew they would be a great addition to my granola bars. I think prunes get a bad rap. They aren’t just for old people! 🙂
I love the way dried plums taste, and they are full of more than fiber! They are loaded with potassium and are can help maintain good bone health. So why not toss them in?
Ingredients needed for Homemade Granola Bars:
- rolled oats (not quick oats)
- butter
- vegetable or canola oil
- salt
- brown sugar
- honey
- juice (apple, pineapple, plum…whatever you prefer)
- molasses
- vanilla extract
- Rice Krispies
- chopped pecans
- chopped almonds
- diced prunes
- Optional: dark chocolate for dipping (I just used about 4 ounces and dipped 1/2 of my bars, leaving the rest plain)
Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 6 cups rolled oats not quick oats!
- 4 tbsp butter melted
- 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fruit juice apple, pineapple, plum-whatever you prefer
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 3/4 cup diced prunes
- Optional: dark chocolate for dipping I just used about 4 ounces and dipped 1/2 of my bars, leaving the rest plain
Instructions
- 6 cups rolled oats, 4 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil, 1 tsp saltPreheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, toss the oats with the melted butter, oil and salt until coated. Spread out on two baking sheets and toast in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Watch this closely! You need to shake it a few times to keep them from burning. But don't skip this step. It brings out the nutty delicious flavor of the oats! Remove from the oven and set aside.
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup fruit juice, 3 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup molassesReduce heat to 325° and start working on the sticky stuff. 🙂 In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, molasses and juice. Heat it slowly, stirring to combine. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat.
- 1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup chopped almonds, 3/4 cup diced prunesIn the large bowl you started with, combine the Rice Krispies, pecans, almonds, diced prunes and toasted oats. Stir until mixed well. Slowly pour the sticky liquid over the oats mixture, stirring as you go. Mix it well, until all the oats are coated with sticky goodness.
- Press into a baking sheet that is lined with foil and greased thoroughly with butter or cooking spray. Bake until golden (about 25 minutes) and let cool. Using a sharp knife, cut into bars and then remove from the pan.
- Optional: dark chocolate for dippingOptional: Melt dark chocolate in a bowl and dip the bottom half of the bars in the chocolate. Place chocolate side down onto wax paper until set.
Nutrition
This post was originally sponsored by Sunsweet.
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Rachael says
Mmmmm I will definitely have to try these out!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
These look delicious…I’ve been meaning to try making my own bars!
Debra Hawkins says
These sound so amazing! I am going to have to do this!
Emily says
I’ve made granola, but never bars. This look so yummy and I bet my boys would love them. Can’t wait to try out the recipe.
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
These would be yummy for our rushed mornings heading out the door to school!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
They look delish! I can’t wait to try!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Great Snack for my family.
Yvonne [Tried and Tasty] says
These look so yummy! I love the Sunsweet products!
Nicky says
These are a great snack bar Nicole. The plums are a nice sweet bonus
jamie says
Those totally look amazing!
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
Oh wow, these looks amazing! Love homemade granola bars.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yum! I love making my own bars (when I’m not lazy) 😉
Helen Diels says
Hi Nicole,
Have you ever looked at realhealthyrecipes.com ? That’s where I get my healthy snack and dessert recipes. It’s wonderful to get sweets that don’t add fat to your body. My favorites are Zucchini Brownies, Snickers Bars, donuts, and some of the cookies. There are some great salad recipes and main dish recipes, too. Check it out.