What Are Granola bars?/ These are a type of snack food that typically consists of rolled oats, nuts, honey and other ingredients like as dried fruit, seeds or chocolate chips. These ingredients are usually mixed together into a dough or batter and then baked into a bar shape.
These bars are often marketed as a healthy snack option as they are a good source of fiber, protein and can provide sustained energy all day long. Not all Granola bars are created equal and some may contain high level of sugar or artificial ingredients. It’s always a good idea to read the nutrition label and ingredients list when selecting a granola bar to ensure it meets your dietary needs and preferences.
Table Of Contents
Are Granola Bars Healthy?
These bars can be a healthy and delicious snack option when made with wholesome ingredients and eaten in moderation. They are typically a good source of fiber and protein. Which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Portion control is important when eating granola bars. While they can be a convenient and satisfying snack. They are also calorie-dense and can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup seeds (such as pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 cup dried fruit (such as raisins or chopped apricots)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Take a large mixing bowl and combine the oats, chopped nuts, seeds, salt and cinnamon Mix well.
Pour the honey and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir until all of the ingredients are well combined. If desired, stir in the dried fruit.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and press down firmly with your hands to create an even layer.
Then bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Allow the granola bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars with a sharp knife.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Homemade Granola Bars Variations
Chocolate chip: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the cooled bars for an extra chocolatey treat.
Fruit and nut: Add 1/2 cup of dried fruit such as chopped dates, cranberries or apricots and 1/2 cup of chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans or walnuts to your mixture before baking.
Coconut: Stir in 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to your mixture.
Peanut butter: Use peanut butter instead of the nut butter called for in the recipe and stir in 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts to mixture before baking.
Trail mix: Add your favorite trail mix ingredients such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried fruit and chocolate chips.
Cinnamon spice: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your granola bar before baking.
Banana bread: Mash a ripe banana and add it to your mixture before baking, along with 1/2 cup of chopped nuts and 1/2 cup of raisins or chopped dates.
These variations can help keep it interesting and exciting and you can experiment with your own favorite ingredients to create a unique flavor combination that you love.
Conclusion
Granola bars are a type of snack that typically consists of rolled oats, nuts, seeds and other ingredients such as honey, dried fruits and chocolate chips. They are often marketed as a healthy snack option due to their high fiber content and perceived nutritional value.
However, not all granola bars are created equal and some may contain high levels of added sugars and unhealthy fats. It’s important to read the ingredient list and nutrition label before choosing a granola bar and to consider portion size as well.
