All Natural Granola Bars

Singin'Chef's Note:

I'm no longer sure of the source for this recipe...not that I followed the original anyway! I am boycotting corn syrup now and needed an energy bar that I could make at home! This recipe is easy and versatile...and everyone in my family will eat these bars! No butter and no sugar! But soooo good!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 20

Yield: 20.0 bars

• 1 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 2/3 cup natural smooth peanut butter
• 2 2/3 cups regular rolled oats
• 1/3 cup ground pecans (or wheat germ)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour (or regular)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups nuts or 2 cups seeds or 2 cups coconut or 2 cups chopped dried fruit or 2 cups chocolate chips, etc

Directions:

1. Warm honey slightly in microwave and combine with peanut butter.
2. Add oats, ground pecans, flour, and cinnamon.
3. Stir in nuts, chips, dried fruit, etc.
4. (My favorite combo is 1/2°C of dried fruit, 1/2°C of mini choc. chips, 1/2°C chopped almonds, 1/4°C sunflower seeds, and 1/4°C ground flax seeds).
5. PRESS DOWN FIRMLY and evenly in sprayed 9x13 pan.
6. Bake @ 350 for about 15 minutes - edges will begin to brown.
7. Remove from oven and cut IMMEDIATELY into 20 bars.
8. Allow to cool completely.
9. I wrap bars individually for easy grabbing in the mornings!

Reviews

[Sharon swearingen]

Love this recipe! Great to keep you satisfied for a long time. I have made this recipe several times using the exact ingredients but now I have made a couple of changes. Using almond butter instead of peanut butter and because I am trying to cut down on calories, I use about half a cup of honey and one small tub of applesauce to make one cup of honey/applesauce combo, which makes the bars a little more moist. This is now one of my staple recipes, i will never buy another store bought granola bar unless I am desperate!

[alligirl]

These were good, if perhaps a little chewy for me. I did reduce the recipe by half, so perhaps I made a mistake, however, I'd like a bit more crunch. Gotta figure out how...Thanks for sharing a good basic recipe, Singin'Chef.

[Chicagoland Chef du Jour]

These are so darn good! I omitted the cinnamon cuz I wasn't sure how that would work with peanut butter. I have already eaten one and they are right out of the oven. I don't even care if the kids don't like them, but what's not to like. I halved the recipe just in case I end up eating all of these cut the kids don't like them. Not overly sweet or peanut buttery. Thanks for sharing this gem! Made for Best of 2012 Tag game!