Homemade Granola Bars

Obviously there is something about Fall that makes me want to bake!!

This was my first attempt at making my own granola bars. I had the idea after seeing different recipes on other blogs. What I like about this recipe is the versatility of it. You can change it around and add whatever you like to it.

My sons really like the store bought granola bars and I like the convenience of being able to grab them and take them along on trips and to give them to the boys for a quick snack. I don't especially like the price of the store bought bars and could do without some of the ingredients.

I made this recipe last night and gave both of the older boys a granola bar to eat this morning. They gobbled them up and said that they liked them. Charlie asked if there were raisins in them and I said, "No, would you like me to add some next time?" He told me that he would. He also said he'd like to add peanut butter chips too!

Overall, I liked the flavor of the bars. I thought they held together very well. My husband liked the chewiness of them. I think I would have liked a little more crispiness. Next time I might add some brown rice cereal and use less flour or no flour. The possibilities are endless!

Homemade Granola Bars

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup rice krispies
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup whole ground flaxseed meal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
handful of chocolate chips

Note: I made up this list of ingredients after reading lots of different recipes online. Some recipes use oil or butter instead of applesauce, some use wheat germ instead of flaxseed, some use white flour instead of wheat, some add dried cherries and almonds instead of chocolate chips...you get the idea.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8 x 8 or 9 x 13 baking pan. *NOTE: The last time I made these I noticed that they did not fill the pan and I hand molded them into a shape that did not stretch to the edges of the pan. You will probably need a smaller pan that what I have listed here. 8x8 may be okay, but I think 9x13 is too big.

2. In large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, flax, cinnamon, flour, and salt.

3. In small bowl, mix the honey, egg, applesauce and vanilla. Add this mixture to the large bowl, add the chocolate chips and mix together well.

4. Pat the mixture evenly into the pan.

5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes. Once they are brown on the edges take them out. If you leave them in too long they’ll be dry. I took mine out after 20 min.

6. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars or squares. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting or they will be too hard to cut.