In this installment of Cooking for your Health, the theme is brain food: Healthy high energy snack food that’s a perfect pick-me-up during the work or school day or following a workout, providing a nutritional boost of energy which improves concentration and stamina. A diet rich in iron, B vitamins, essential fatty acids and complex carbohydrates comprises a winning menu for your brain, increasing focus and memory. While nailing the nutrition may be easier to accomplish when preparing a sit-down meal, it’s often difficult to find in a snack when you are grabbing food on the go. What can you eat that’s portable, delicious and healthy? Look no further than these homemade granola bars.
Homemade Granola Bars
Makes approximately 24 small bars.
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup coarsely chopped raw almonds
1/2 cup unsweetened grated coconut
1/4 cup almond meal
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups dried fruit, such as chopped apricots, cranberries, blueberries, or raisins
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter an 8 by 11-inch baking pan and line with parchment.
Combine the oats, almonds, coconut, and almond meal in a bowl. Pour onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread evenly. Bake until fragrant and lightly toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour into a large bowl. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the sugar and syrup, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the sugar over the oats, mixing to thoroughly combine. Stir in the dried fruit. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading to firmly and evenly distribute.
Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove and cool completely in pan until firm, at least 2 hours. Cut into squares or rectangles. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
OK, I have never made granola bars – confession – time to try some with this recipe in hand…
I’ve been following Ina’s recipe for these bars for years! I love to make a batch on Sunday night so we have them for the week.
Delicious bars! Healthy and so enjyoable. Something I could eat everyday.
Cheers,
Rosa
Looks delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You know, I’ve been meaning to make some granola bars of my own but somehow I haven’t been convinced. Until now that is!
I love Ina Garten’s recipe! I have adapted it myself (http://princessnorncooks.com/2012/02/10/homemade-granola/). Definitely not as healthy as your adaptation, but great on some Greek yogurt or for a little after dinner snack. I found the honey overwhelming, so used agave also to cut down on the honey flavor.
God I am totally inspired, I have been thinking of making granola at home but lazy me…
This looks wonderful, I am totally inspired now…
I’ve been making my own granola for awhile now, and have thought about making granola bars, but just somehow don’t sit down to figure it out. Thanks for the nudge and a great recipe to do it with. Have a great week!
These is similar to a recipe of mine.. they’re totally addicting so it’s a good thing they’re healthy as well:) Love your photos today too! xo Smidge
I’ve yet to find a homemade granola bar that I really love, but I’m thinking you may have just handed it to me.
So you butter the pan and the parchment paper then butter the parchment paper in the pan? Making now and thinking… “hmmm… not sure if I’m doing this right.”
Kim: Butter the pan. Line the pan with parchment paper. Then butter the exposed surface of the parchment paper. Enjoy! – Lynda
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I’m excited to try these. They sound great!
Hi everyone, I am going to attempt these for my sons football team but was wondering about using chocolate chips and then making a peanut butter version. Any suggestions? PS I am not a very good cook so easy is the key here 😉 thank you!