Healthy Granola Bars
With whole grains, low added sugar, protein, and an easy method, these Healthy Granola Bars are a favorite snack to share with the kids. Plus: You can make them ahead of time and enjoy them for weeks!
Servings: 14
Calories: 121kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter or 1 egg)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup mashed banana (very ripe; from about 1 small)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional for more sweetness)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a quarter sheet baking pan with parchment paper.
- Place the oats in the bowl of a food processor or blender blitz to grind into a coarse texture (similar to quick oats).
- Warm the honey and peanut butter for about 15 seconds if not stored at room temperature.
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl. Stir well, using clean hands at the end to bring the batter together into a thick sticky dough that holds between your fingers when pressed.
- Place batter onto the center of the prepared baking sheet and use your hands to press thin, about ¼-½ inch thick and almost to the edges of the pan. Score with a knife to precut the bars.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, remove from oven, and let cool completely in the pan.
- Press the knife through the bars completely and store or serve.
Notes
- Store the Healthy Granola Bars in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge or a week at room temperature. To freeze, place cooled bars in a sealed zip top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving or you can thaw at room temperature.
- To make this without a food processor or blender, use quick or instant oats and stir everything together.
- Use gluten-free cup for cup flour in place of the wheat flour and use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Add chocolate chips to this recipe by pressing a few into the top of the flattened batter in the pan just before baking.
- Wet your fingers or use a piece of parchment to press the batter down if it's sticking to your hands.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 bar | Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg