Peanut-Free Granola Bars

With a peanut ban in the classrooms at school, finding a peanut-free granola bar recipe required a little more digging than normal!  I was delighted to have found this similar recipe from The Crafting Chicks.   It is moist & chewy.  My 4 boys begged me to let them have their portion for tomorrow's lunch now!  So, I gave in & decided to just make another batch in the late night, as I didn't have enough portioned for tomorrow's lunch.  I'm able to use up the big bag of dried cranberries getting ready to expire; they don't even notice they were in the bars!  (Phew!)

Ingredients:
1 stick melted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar homemade
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2-1 cup chocolate chips
1/2-1 cup dried fruit raisins or cranberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325.  Spray a 9x13 pan with a nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients in order & mix well.  I found that if I portion my 1/2 cup with the 1/4 cup of oil, the honey comes out much easier---not as sticky!

Spread the mixture in the 9x13 pan, pressing down evenly with a sheet wax paper.

Bake for 20 minutes.  Do not cut or serve until completely cooled; it will fall apart.

**In the picture shown, I added a full cup each of the cranberries and chocolate chips.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Too bad my kids are at school right now... they are missing out on these yummy, chewy chocolate chip granola bars.  I will either have to make another quick and easy batch before they get home or only allow them to wait until tomorrow to have these.  I am very happy that these are easy to make and using up items I already have on hand.  The recipe is adapted from The Marathon Mom.  I know my grocery budget is happy to save money by making these, instead of buying another box at the store.  I like that this recipe is very forgiving, ie. it's okay to add a little a little extra oats or cereal.  I've started to have to double this recipe.  Otherwise, I'd make it 5x/week for school lunches and me!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup butter

1 cup quick oats

1 cup Rice Krispies cereal

1/2 - 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Spray an 8x8 pan with a nonstick cooking spray.  In the microwave, melt together the peanut butter, honey, and butter.  Stir until creamy.

Add oats, cereal, and chocolate chips.  Mix well.  Press into pan.  (I sprayed my utensil to keep it from sticking.)

Chill in freezer for about 10 minutes, or until firm.  Cut into bars.  Makes 12 servings.

Option:  Add any favorite fruits or nuts to mix.  Also, you can melt the chocolate before adding the cereal and oats, if you'd like.  My family prefers the chocolate chips melted.  

Chewy Granola Crisp Bars

Chewy granola bars are one of my favorites, but they are so expensive for what little you get in a box!  Growing up as a kid, I used to devour a box of the chocolate coated granola bars.  I have tried many different granola bars before, but I have not liked any of them as much as the ones with Rice Krispies.  I think the next time I make some, it will need to be a double batch.  My boys went "nuts" over these!  

The recipe is adapted from Food.com.

Ingredients:

2 cups Rice Krispies

1 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup dried fruit (I used cranberries)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar 

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter (plain or crunchy)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup frozen chocolate chips (to maintain shape)

In a large bowl, combine cereal, oats, and dried fruit.

Spray an 8x8 pan with a nonstick cooking spray.

In a saucepan, over low to medium heat, heat the brown sugar and honey.  Remove from heat, right as it's about ready to start boiling.  Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla.

 Quickly, mix together with the dry ingredients as best as possible.   Press into prepared 8x8 pan.  Let cool slightly, cut into bars, and chill.