I'm pretty sure that most people's new year's resolutions included something about a healthier diet for 2012. I didn't make any resolutions this year, but after the holidays, I feel like it's time to get back to eating healthy again! I'm not a big breakfast eater, I never was, but when I'm running out of energy by lunch time, I always wish I would have had breakfast. I love granola bars, but they often contain so much sugar and so many preservatives, that while they are meant to be healthy, they actually really aren't. So I decided to try to make some at home, and they turned out great, so I wanted to share my recipe with you! They are chewy and delicious, sweet thanks to the honey and raisins, and crunchy thanks to the peanuts. They make for a great breakfast on the go!
HOMEMADE RAISIN AND PEANUT
BREAKFAST GRANOLA BARS
*Makes 10 granola bars*
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar (you can add more, I just didn't want the bars to be too sweet)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 deg F. In a large bowl, mix together oats, flour, sugar, salt, peanuts and raisins (dry ingredients). Then add the wet ingredients - the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix all ingredients very well with your hands, so that everything is coated with the honey and oil, as this will make sure the granola bars are chewy.
2. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper, then transfer the granola mixture onto it. Pat it down with your hands, and form an even rectangle, leaving about an inch around the edges of the pan.
3. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes, then let cool for 5 five minutes. Cut into bars before it cools completely, it's a lot easier to cut the bars when they are still a little warm. Store granola bars in an air tight container so they stay chewy!
*Other ingredients you could use - dried apricots, sunflower seeds, nuts, dried cranberries/cherries, dried apples, coconut.
Happy Baking, Everyone! And don't forget to eat breakfast!
I will be linking to:
These look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try my hand at some homemade granola bars...was just looking at some from The Barefoot Contessa, but these look even more chewy and healthy! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
these look great. i've been looking for a recipe like this for a while. Will try them and let you know how they turn out! thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese breakfast granola bars look amazing! I would love for you to share them to my healthy recipe link up on my blog :)
ReplyDeletehttp://fitcraftystylishandhappy.blogspot.com/
I made and it was perfect until I tried to take out of pan and couldn't keep in the bar form but still perfect.... no brown sugar next time. I put in chocolate chips too and it's a little sweet but still loved!!! Did I cook it too long?
ReplyDelete