When I’m running around town from job to job, I need something I can have on the go that gives me energy that lasts. These homemade granola bars are the answer!
I used to love throwing a store-bought muesli bar into my bag and having that mid-morning to keep me going.
The problem with store-bought bars is that they are packed full of sugar, they’re expensive and they don’t really fill you up.
I saw a problem that needed a solution.
I played around with lots of different recipes, from muesli bars to protein balls, you name it, I tried it. And the outcome was these lovely little healthy granola bars.
Whole Grains
It’s no secret that whole grains are hugely important to have in our diets. They are clever little things, helping to prevent cancer, heart disease and diabetes, aiding in weight management, and they keep us fuller for longer! These granola bars are made primarily out of whole oats, which are jam-packed full of antioxidants – plus they are dirt cheap!
This recipe makes 12 good sized granola bars, that will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge and 2 months in the freezer! They are so easy to make a batch and then grab on the go, once you try these you’ll wonder why you never made your own earlier
Healthy Granola Bars Recipe
Ingredients
x3 ripe bananas
2 cups oats
large tablespoon of melted coconut butter (I suggest you invest in this if you haven’t already *drool*)
½ cup medjool dates (pitted, roughly chopped)
½ cup almonds roughly chopped
½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
½ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ cup sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder (optional)
½ teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon vanilla essence
½ cup of fruit syrup
½ teaspoon of cinnamon (optional)
dark chocolate for melting (use vegan chocolate to make this dairy free)
(I threw in a handful of sultanas when I made this batch too, just cause I fancied it. And sometimes I love to add pistachios or dried apricots)
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (approximately 350°F)
2. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl (oats, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon and salt)
3. Add chopped dates (try to spread this evenly through the dry ingredients)
4. In separate bowl, mash bananas and mix in the coconut butter. Stir in vanilla essence & fruit syrup.
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix well until all evenly moist. (This is easiest to just do with your hands)
6. Line a baking dish with baking paper. Press mixture down into dish evenly and with pressure. (It doesn’t really matter what size dish you use, you should be able to manipulate the mixture to be any shape & size you wish – a lasagne dish works quite well).
7. Bake for 30 minutes (until edges brown). Take out and leave to cool completely.
8. Melt some dark chocolate and drizzle on top! Slice and serve!
SUBSTITUTIONS:
If there are tastes or textures you don’t like, you can substitute for almost anything else that ‘sounds about right.’ Don’t like walnuts? Try pistachios! No dates? Use dried apricots and sultanas instead. The world is your oyster! Just keep the ratio of dry and wet ingredients the same and your bars should keep together just fine.
DON’T LIKE BANANAS?
I encourage you to try this recipe anyway. Banana’s have far too many nutritional benefits to list; you need them in your diet (*pointing finger*). Try adding some extra fruit syrup to the recipe if you truly have bananaphobia!
Share this recipe with your friends who you think will benefit from the perfect on the go breakfast, pre-workout snack, or 3.30pm pick me up!
You’re welcome.
If you have tried making these homemade granola bars with any substitutions please share in the comments below!
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