Homemade snacks are a great way to curb unwanted amounts of sodium, sugar and unhealthy fats. Customizing ingredients according to tastes also ensures the snack will be consumed and not wasted on a picky eater.
Many of the granola bars available in the supermarkets are high in processed sweeteners and preservatives that are unhealthy for the consumer. On his weekday talk show Dr Mehmet Oz recently recommended switching to alternative sweeteners instead of consuming sugar. This recipe lends itself to modifications that can make it easier to kick the sugar habit.
Chewy Granola Bar Recipe
Lightly oil a medium-sized glass baking dish and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium bowl combine the following dry ingredients:
- 2-1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (or Irish or steel-cut oats)
- 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Then customize the flavors by adding:
- 2/3 cup dried fruit, chopped – cranberries, apricots, plums and apples make good options
- ½ cup semi-sweet carob or chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped nuts, such as almond or walnuts
Beat the following ingredients in a separate bowl or use a stand mixer:
- Up to 1 cup of your favorite sweetener – agave nectar, brown rice syrup, honey or stevia
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup nut or seed butter – like almond or peanut butter
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
Final mixing directions:
- Once the nut butter, egg, oil and sweeteners have been blended to smooth add the oat and nut mixture. Beat on low speed to combine but don’t overbeat the mix as the nuts and dried fruit will break down quickly.
- Transfer the dough into the glass baking dish. Using a spatula spread the dough evenly in the pan to even out the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately a half hour or until the dough is firm and turning golden along the edges. Remove promptly and place the pan on a cooling rack for 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully slice into bars and transfer to individual containers. Store the granola bars in a cool area in airtight containers. Enjoy!
A Note on Alternative Sweeteners
There are quite a few choices for the home baker to choose from in natural sweetener options. This recipe uses maple syrup which is quite sweet on its own so a mild sweetener would complement it nicely. Brown rice syrup can be obtained at a local health food store in the baking section or can be ordered online.
Other sweet options include local honey, stevia – an herb from South America, molasses, and agave nectar.
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