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- 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), roughly chopped - 1/2 cup sunflower seeds - 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup - 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter - 1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, or raisins), chopped - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon salt Gathering the right ingredients is key to making tasty granola bars. Rolled oats are the base. They add texture and fiber. Mixed nuts provide crunch and healthy fats. You can choose your favorite nuts for variety. Sunflower seeds add a delightful bite and extra nutrients. Sweeteners like honey or maple syrup give sweetness and help bind the bars. Nut butter, such as almond or peanut butter, adds creaminess and flavor. Dried fruits bring natural sweetness and chewiness. Don't forget flavor enhancers like vanilla extract and cinnamon. They make your bars even more delicious. - For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey. - Look for gluten-free oats and mix-ins if needed. - If you have nut allergies, use seeds and dried fruits instead. You can make these bars fit your diet. For a vegan version, maple syrup works well. You can find gluten-free oats in stores. Many seeds can replace nuts if you need to avoid them. Options like pumpkin seeds or chia seeds are great choices. This way, everyone can enjoy these tasty treats! 1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish. Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the edges. This helps you lift the bars out later. 2. Mixing dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of mixed nuts, and 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds. Add 1/2 cup of chopped dried fruit, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir everything well. 3. Combining wet ingredients. In a small saucepan, mix 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup with 1/4 cup of almond or peanut butter. Heat on low until melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. 1. Transferring the mixture to the pan. Pour the warm honey-nut mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir until all dry parts are coated. Transfer this mixture to your prepared baking dish. 2. Baking time and temperature. Press the mixture down firmly using a spatula or your hands. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. 3. Cooling instructions. Once baked, take it out of the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift it out. Place it on a wire rack to cool completely. 1. Tips for cutting the bars evenly. Once the granola is cool, use a sharp knife to cut it into bars or squares. Try to cut straight down for even pieces. 2. Serving options. These bars make great snacks and breakfast items. You can pack them in lunchboxes too. They are tasty and healthy! Enjoy them at any time of the day. For more details, check the Full Recipe. To get the right texture, pack the mixture tightly in the pan. This helps the bars hold together. If you want chewy bars, bake them for a shorter time. For crunchy bars, bake them a bit longer until they turn golden brown. You can add fun mix-ins to change the flavors. Try chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or seeds. To add spices, use cinnamon or nutmeg. A drop of vanilla extract gives a nice touch too. Be creative and make the bars your own. If your granola bars crumble when you cut them, they may need more binding. Add a bit more nut butter or honey next time. If they are too sweet, cut back on the sweetener. You can also add more oats to balance the taste. For stickiness, ensure you pack them down well before baking. {{image_2}} You can change the flavors of your granola bars easily. One favorite is chocolate chip and coconut. Just add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the mix. This combo gives a sweet and chewy bite. You will love the taste of chocolate with the crunch of coconut. For a nut-free option, swap nuts with seeds and dried fruits. Use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds. Add dried fruits like cranberries or raisins for sweetness. This variation is great for schools or anyone with nut allergies. If you want vegan granola bars, use maple syrup instead of honey. Almond butter is a perfect choice for this recipe. You can also add more seeds like chia or flax. These seeds boost nutrition and add texture. For those on a paleo diet, focus on using nuts and seeds only. Skip the oats and use coconut flakes instead. You can mix in some dried fruits like apricots or dates. This gives a chewy texture without grains. You can make your bars seasonal with easy swaps. In fall, add pumpkin spice for a warm flavor. Mix 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice into your dry ingredients. This will fill your kitchen with a cozy scent. In summer, try adding fresh fruits and nuts. Diced apples, peaches, or berries work well. They add a refreshing taste to the bars. Just remember to adjust the sweeteners since fresh fruit adds natural sugars. For the full recipe, check out the Nutty Delight Granola Bars. To keep your homemade granola bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent moisture and keeps the bars crunchy. I like using glass jars or plastic containers with tight lids. You can store them at room temperature for easy access. If you live in a warm area, consider keeping them in the fridge, where they last longer. Homemade granola bars stay fresh for about a week at room temperature. In the fridge, they can last up to two weeks. Look for signs of spoilage, like an off smell or a change in texture. If they feel too hard or dry, it's time to toss them. Freshness is key for the best taste. To freeze granola bars, first cut them into squares or rectangles. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap or foil. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. This way, they won’t stick together. You can freeze them for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight. If you want to eat them warm, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. Enjoy your tasty snack! Homemade granola bars can last about one week when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them. In the fridge, they can stay fresh for up to two weeks. Yes, you can make granola bars without nut butter. Use mashed bananas or applesauce as a binding agent. These options add moisture and sweetness. You can also try using sunbutter if you want a nut-free option. To cut granola bars, let them cool completely first. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. For even bars, use a ruler to measure and mark where you will cut. Press down firmly but gently to prevent crumbling. Absolutely! Making granola bars is a fun activity for kids. They can help mix ingredients or press the mixture into the pan. Just supervise them closely when using the oven or sharp tools. You can easily adjust sweetness by changing the amount of honey or maple syrup. For less sweet bars, use less sweetener. You can also add more dried fruits for natural sweetness. Just keep in mind that this can change the texture. To recap, we explored the essential ingredients and steps for making delicious granola bars. You can mix and match flavors to suit your taste. Remember to pack the mixture tightly for the best texture. Store your bars properly to keep them fresh. Whether you choose classic oats or seasonal twists, homemade bars can be easy and fun. Enjoy your tasty treats as breakfast or snacks. With these tips, you can create your own perfect recipe every time.

Homemade Granola Bars

Discover the joy of homemade snacks with these Nutty Delight Granola Bars! Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, mixed nuts, sunflower seeds, and dried fruit, these bars are not only delicious but also make for a perfect energy boost. Easy to prepare and customizable, they’re great for breakfast or on-the-go treats. Click through to explore the full recipe and elevate your snacking game today!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), roughly chopped

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter

1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, or raisins), chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.

    In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt together until well combined.

      In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey (or maple syrup) and almond butter. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

        Pour the warm honey-nut mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated.

          Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press down firmly with a spatula or your hands to ensure it is tightly packed.

            Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

              Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the granola out, then let it cool completely on a wire rack.

                Once cooled, cut into bars or squares according to your desired size.

                  Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

                    Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: About 12 bars