The upside of these homemade granola bars? They’re amazing. They’re easy. You’ll know exactly what’s going into those little (or big!) lunchboxes-and it’s nothing you can’t pronounce.
The downside? Well, your kids (OR YOUR HUSBAND!) might decide they’re simply no longer willing to eat store-bought granola bars. Ever. Again.
Which is not a terrible thing-it’s just not my favorite thing in the world to be making granola bars at 11:00 at night to fill those little (big!) lunchboxes. (Who am I kidding. We are early bedtime people. 9:00 at night…)
But really.
They’re awesome.
And I love that they don’t have any sugar or chemical-ish ingredients.
- 1 c. peanut butter (we like crunchy! it adds great texture but creamy works just as well)
- 2/3 c. honey
- 2 1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
- 1/2 c. sliced almonds (optional)
- 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 2 t. cinnamon (optional)
- Heat the peanut butter and honey in a small saucepan on low heat until they're melted down and mixed. (Be careful to not burn!)
- Combine oats, almonds, flour, and cinnamon (if using) and mix in a large bowl.
- Pour the honey and peanut butter mix into the large bowl of dry ingredients.
- Add the applesauce and stir everything together.
- Prep a 13x9 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and using a non-stick spray on the foil.
- Evenly spread granola mix into the pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees (or watch until it starts to turn golden).
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
- Feel free to add extra almonds or toss in craisins or omit the cinnamon. Make them yours!!
- In a 13x9 pan, for kids, you could easily get 16 bars. When I'm making these for my husband's lunches, I cut them a little bigger and get 12 bars out of a pan. After cutting, I wrap them up in plastic wrap or stick them in snack baggies to store them.
TIP: You might want to come to some kind of alternative granola bar arrangement before you start making these. Just a thought, ya know. So you’re not making granola bars late into the night like me…
These sound amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
These look great, I can’t wait to make them. I love homemade granola so much better. Pinned.
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I absolutely LOVE this recipe. I always have a pan made at my house and it has become an all-time fav for my husband (and anyone else who has been to our house lately). I share your recipe with all my friends! I like to add either blueberries or dark chocolate chunks. 🙂 thanks for being awesome!
Yay! Love to hear that it’s become a favorite for you. My husband would LOVE it with blueberries. Or dark chocolate. Great ideas!!