Healthy Homemade Granola Bars: A Perfect Snack for Busy Families

Looking for a tasty, healthy, and budget-friendly snack option for your busy family? Try making your own homemade granola bars! They’re perfect for on-the-go snacking and can be customized to suit your family’s taste preferences. Not only do homemade granola bars save you money, but they also allow you to control the ingredients, ensuring a more nutritious option for your family.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup puffed rice cereal (or other puffed grain cereal)
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, etc.)
• 1/2 cup nuts or seeds (almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, or sunflower seed)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to easily lift the finished bars out of the pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, puffed rice cereal, dried fruit, and nuts or seeds. Mix well.
3. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the honey or maple syrup, nut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and easy to stir.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well-coated.
5. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, making sure it’s evenly distributed. The firmer you press, the better your bars will hold together.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let the granola bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.
7. Cut into bars or squares and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds to create your family’s perfect granola bar. You can even add in chocolate chips or shredded coconut for added flavor and texture.

Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own healthy homemade granola bars and watch as your family devours them with delight. Let us know how long they lasted before being totally devoured in the comments below! Happy snacking!

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