Healthy Granola Bars

These are mommy's best friends, no doubt about it! They are really easy to make, they taste great and are a healthier choice for a snack, lunchbox or even dessert! They even make a great pack and go breakfast when you're in a hurry. You can add all kinds of nuts, dried fruit or sweets to them and the end result is always good!

I have added 2 versions of these delicious treats: the normal baked ones and a no bake granola recipe for the very little ones. These bars are a bit softer than the baked ones and therefore easier to chew and even easier to make!

Baked Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats 
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (you could also use nutela for a different flavor)
• 1 cup crispy rice cereal (I used honey smacks and they turned out really good too)
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions:

1. Preheat the over to 170 degrees C. 
2. Line a baking pan in one direction with parchment paper, allowing it to go up the opposing sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the exposed pan, or coat with a non-stick spray.
3. Mix oats and cereal together in a bowl. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl mix butter, honey, syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter and water. Add vanilla, salt and cinnamon.
5. Add the oat mixture to the wet ingredients and mix together.
6. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan or baking dish and press out to be about 2cm in thickness. You need to press it a bit thick or it won't hold together when you cut it.
7. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly.
8. Bake the bars for 30 minutes, until they’re brown around the edges — don’t be afraid to get a little color on the tops too. They’ll still seem soft and almost under-baked when you press into the center of the pan but do not worry, they’ll set completely once cooled.
9. Cool on a countertop to room temperature and then cut them to the desire size.
10. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

No Bake Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 3 cups quick oats or toasted rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cup rice cereal 
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (or any other nut butter/pasta)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup honey
• l/4 teaspoon vanilla
• mini marshmallows or m&m's for decorating

Directions:

1. Mix toasted oats and rice cereal in a bowl.
2. Pour butter, sugar, honey, vanilla, salt  and peanut butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir into oat mixture until evenly coated. Let sit just until cool enough to handle.
3. Line a baking  pan with plastic wrap. Spoon mixture into pan pressing down to compact. Add the marshmallows or m&m's on top and press down.
4. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Remove from pan, peel away plastic wrap and slice into bars.
5. Wrap individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, if desired. Store covered at room temperature.

Tip: I doubled the amout of ingredients to make a larger batch and I am really happy I did cause they flew away!
You can substitute the honey for maple or corn syrup, use gluten free oats and leave the peanut butter/chocolate out in case of allergies.