I know a lot of people believe in signs from passed loved ones, myself included. While some may think it’s woo woo, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that since we returned from my Grandma’s services, I’ve been feeling semi-stalked by cardinals.
I kid you not, every. single. time. I look out a window to the backyard, a cardinal lands in my direct view. Not off to the side, not high up in a tree – straight within my line of vision. It’s crazy! My Grandma loved birds, and I have a special, Grandma-related project in the works back there, so I like to think it’s her checking in and saying hello. Even if it’s not, the sightings are a great reminder of her wonderful spirit. :)
Hey, maybe the cardinals have just been trying to sneak a peek at my latest recipe that resembles bird food – Homemade Chewy Granola Bars! Ummm…get your snackatite (snack + appetite – I tried.) ready because these low sugar, nutrient dense, absolutely YUMMY granola bars are off the chain!
Far from the sugary, store-bought granola bars that leave you satisfied for maybe 5 minutes, Homemade Chewy Granola Bars are gluten free, packed with healthy fats and protein, and naturally sweetened with a wee bit of honey. They are SO dang delicious and my kids (and I) gobble them up. There’s even a secret ingredient that takes the flavor of these homemade granola bars up 500 notches.
That said, the secret ingredient, along with all the other ingredients in this recipe, are kitchen staples so we can whip these granola bars up anytime. I’m thinking they’ll become regular weekly meal prep items for us, along with Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars, Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars, Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins, and Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites, to have on hand for easy and healthy snacking. With summer break just around the corner, lord knows we’ll need them!
Couple of notes:
- This recipe calls for coconut oil and I do not recommend substituting in any other type of oil. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, and even harder when chilled, (these granola bars live in the fridge or freezer) and help keep the bars together.
- Along the same lines, I haven’t tested this recipe with any other sweetener besides honey. Its thick and sticky texture keeps the bars together.
- I use almonds and pecans in my chewy granola bars though you could most likely use whatever nut or seed you have on hand.
Let’s do this!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by adding almonds, pecan halves, and gluten free old fashioned oats to the bowl of a food processor, then process until all the ingredients are finely chopped. I know I’ve said it 1,001 times, but the only oats I use are from GF Harvest.
Pour the mixture into a large bowl then add more oats, almonds, and pecans, plus dried cranberries or dried cherries, chia seeds and cinnamon.
Over on the stovetop, add honey, coconut oil, and salt to a small saucepan then bring to a foamy bubble over medium heat. Let the mixture foam and cook for 1 minute then remove it from the heat and stir in almond and vanilla extracts.
The almond extract is the secret ingredient in this recipe, by the way. I’m telling you – the subtle, special flavor it adds is craveable.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients then mix well to combine. Scoop the mixture into a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed 8×8 baking pan then spray the bottom of a glass measuring cup with more nonstick spray and press press press!! The harder you press the better these bars will stick together.
Refrigerate the bars until they’re completely set – a few hours – then lift out of the baking pan using the foil and slice into bars. These bars will soften at room temperature so keep them in the fridge, or wrap in parchment paper or saran wrap and freeze individually. However you eat them them, I hope you love these homemade chewy granola bars! Enjoy!
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Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
Description
Homemade Chewy Granola Bars are a cinch to make from pantry staples. Gluten free and kid friendly, they're a great, low-sugar option for snack time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup certified gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (no substitutions)
- scant 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Line a 8x8” baking dish with foil, letting it hang generously over the sides, then spray with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Add 1/2 cup each almonds and pecans, plus 3/4 cup old fashioned oats into the bowl of a food processor then process until finely chopped. Pour mixture into a large bowl then add remaining 1/4 cup oats, dried cranberries, chia seeds, and cinnamon. Chop remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1/2 cup almonds then add to the bowl and stir everything together. Set aside.
- Add honey, coconut oil, and salt to a small saucepan then bring to a bubble over medium heat, stirring once or twice. Turn heat down slightly, simmer for 1 minute, then remove saucepan from heat and stir in extracts. Pour over the dry ingredients then stir well to combine, and then pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Spray the bottom of a measuring cup or bowl with nonstick spray then press firmly into an even layer. The harder you press, the better the bars will stick together! Refrigerate until set, a couple hours, then pull out of the baking dish using overhanging foil and slice into bars using a sharp knife. Store bars in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
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Troy N 08.08.2012
About Coconut oil, I have tried the Brand you mentioned, recommend you try Cold Press, that brand may have, not sure. I prefer this one . has so much more flavor and goodness,Cheaper coconut oil consist of dried and bleached
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Melissa 08.06.2012
These were absolutely delicious! The hubby even loved them! I used half the cherries and added a handful of golden raisins and a half cup of coconut. I also used chia seeds in place of the sesame for some extra fiber!
I can’t wait to cook more of your recipes!!!
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Christine 06.22.2012
Oh these look so delish! I will definitely be trying these soon… btw, coconut oil has several other uses, our favorite being an amazing personal lubricant! It turns liquid when it gets warm ;)
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Chelsea 06.20.2012
I just made these last night and oh my dear goodness. I cut them up this morning. SO GOOD! :D
Instead of using the walnuts or pecans, I used sunflower seeds and instead of the sesame seeds, I used chia seeds.
These are probably going to be my new favorite snack/breakfast food.
Thank you soo much for posting this!
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Jennifer 05.11.2012
Wonder if switching the honey for agave and chia seeds for sesame would work as well? I’ll try them soon and let you know, thanks for the recipe!
Iowa Girl Eats 05.11.2012
I think they would taste really good, but the sticky honey is what holds everything together. I think if you used agave it might fall apart!
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Kate M 05.02.2012
Oh my god!! I can’t believe how delicious these are!! I Googled “best homemade chewy granola bars ever” and this was the first result, and it was no joke :) So easy to do, too! I will admit that when I went to buy coconut oil I almost had a heart attack at the price ($12 per jar), but now I it’s worth its weight in gold. These taste like they’re drenched in butter! And I think the jar will last for many batches of these, too (which I will definitely be making). Thanks so much for sharing!
Alaina 04.19.2012
Hi Kristin! Ive made these twice now since you’ve posted them..my fiance and I love them…they’re basically gone within 48 hours…anyway…the problem ive encountered both times is getting them to stick together? They just fall to pieces like granola! :( Any suggestions?!
Angela 04.30.2012
I had the same problem so I added a cup of peanut butter. I melted the peanut butter til it was a liquid state then poured it over the mixture I will let you know how it turns out…
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Maria Bear 04.16.2012
I cannot believe how easy these were to make. Can use most any dried fruit. Loved the coconut oil so much flavor! Love these!
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