Granola Bars
This recipe guides you through making homemade granola bars, starting with toasting a blend of oats, nuts, and seeds. A warm honey and brown sugar syrup binds these ingredients with chopped dried fruit. The mixture is then baked until set, creating wholesome, chewy bars that are perfect for a convenient and healthy snack.
Equipment
- 1 9x9 Inch Glass Baking Dish
- 1 Half sheet pan
- 1 Medium Saucepan
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For stirring and pressing
Ingredients
Main
- 8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats approximately 2 cups
- 1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds approximately 1/2 cup
- 3 ounces sliced almonds approximately 1 cup
- 1 1/2 ounces wheat germ approximately 1/2 cup
- 6 ounces honey approximately 1/2 cup
- 1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar approximately 1/4 cup packed
- 1- ounce unsalted butter plus extra for pan
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries
Instructions
- Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
- Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Notes
For optimal flavor and texture, ensure the oats and nuts are evenly toasted by stirring them frequently during the baking process. This step is crucial for developing a rich, nutty aroma. When pressing the mixture into the baking dish, apply firm, even pressure to create dense, cohesive bars that won't crumble when cut. Allowing the bars to cool completely, preferably at room temperature for several hours or even chilling in the refrigerator, is vital for them to set properly before slicing. Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of almond extract to the liquid mixture for an extra layer of flavor complexity.