Homemade Honey Nut Oats Granola Bars

Health-conscious people think that granola is an essential part of a healthy diet or weight loss plan. The good news is that there are a lot of healthy ingredients that make up these nutty, chewy bars. These crunchy granola bars has a touch of sweetness from honey and brown sugar. They also contain unsaturated fats, which are great for your heart, and also assist you feel full so it is simpler to withstand snacking on junk meals. However, there tends to be an extra quantity of sugar in the bars you get at your grocery store. It’s easy to toss that box of processed granola bars into your grocery cart. But what are you putting into your body after you remove the wrapper? Refined sugar? Chemical preservatives? Unhealthy fats? Try making your own version at home with this recipe. Homemade granola bars are a healthy way to give your body the fuel it needs to get through the day without the junk or excess calories. You'll feel better munching on these treats knowing what goes in it.

This recipe makes about 16, 2-inch squares that each comprises approximately 203 calories 7 grams of fat, and 20 grams of sugar. In moderation, these Homemade Honey Nut Oats Granola Bars can be helpful for a weight loss plan. These crunchy, nutty, chewy granola bars will curb your appetite and ward off unhealthy cravings.

Homemade Granola Recipe with Honey, Nuts and Oats

Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup wheat germ
1 cup sliced raw almonds
½ cup raw sunflower seeds
6 oz. honey
4 tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp kosher salt
1 cup dried blueberries, cranberries, chopped apricots or cherries--any combination

Directions

Coat a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish with nonstick baking spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
On separate large baking sheet, combine oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ; spread out in even layer. Toast in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring a few times to ensure even baking.
While the oat mixture is in the oven, combine honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan.
Bring to boil over medium heat; simmer until the brown sugar completely dissolves, stirring constantly.
When oat mixture is finished toasting, remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
Immediately pour all ingredients together in large mixing bowl; including the dried cherries and apricots. Stir to combine mixture evenly.
Spread the mix into the prepared 9x9 glass baking dish, pressing it down gently. Make sure the granola is evenly distributed. Bake for 25 minutes in the oven.
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the granola cool completely before you cut it into squares.
Invert pan to remove cooked mixture in one piece. Use large, heavy knife to cut into 16 bars.
If too brittle to cut cleanly, heat in microwave for 10 seconds to soften slightly and ease cutting. Store cut bars in airtight container for at least 1 week.
To freeze wrap each bar individually in parchment or waxed paper and place inside Ziploc freezer bag or other airtight freezer container.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ready In: 1 hr. and 0 minutes

Servings: 16

Nutritional Data (for 1 granola bar):

203 calories, 7 g fat, 30.6g carbs, 3.8g fiber, 18.2g sugar, 5.6g protein