Insatiably Healthy

Hello Nuggets! How was your weekend?

Mine involved farmers markets, mimosas, and absolutely no school work

The homemade granola bars have been a recipe of many trials.

I made a blueberry walnut flax variety which was okay. I like the topping combo but the base wasn’t sweet enough and it was a bit too chewy…and oaty

Then I tried a carob pretzel variety which I accidentally burned a little, but the pretzels weren’t cutting it somehow and the carob chips didn’t cook well.

Finally I figured it out and made two varieties too! You can easily sub your sugar preference, puffed whatever preference and pumpkin butter in place of the apple butter.

Here’s a view of the pre Oven-Lovin’I had just a bit of extra batter so I put it in these valentine themed silicone cups.

Post Oven-Lovin’ shot

The two varieties I made were a Carob Pretzel Granola Bar and a GORP Granola Bar

Both playing on the sweet and salty thing.

Homemade Granola Bars

makes about 10 large bars

• 1.5 c oats
• 1/2 c oat bran
• 1.5 c puffed millet
• 1/4 c chia
• 1/4 c flax
• 1/4 c protein powder
• 1/8 c sucanat
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1/2 c almond milk
• 1/2 c apple butter (or pumpkin butter)
• 1/2 c mashed banana
• 1/2 t vanilla

1. Combine all ingredients except for milk, apple butter, banana, and vanilla in a bowl
2. Combine milk, apple butter, banana, and vanilla in a bowl
3. Mix the wet with the dry
4. Mix in the Add-ins
5. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes
6. Let cool

GORP Granola Bar Add-ins

• 1/2 c peanuts
• 1/2 c raisins
• 1/4 c chocolate covered sunflower seeds (these are UNBELIEVABLE when cooked)

Carob Pretzel Add-ins

• 1/2 c crushed pretzel sticks (the stick aspect is key – trust me)
• 1/3 c carob chips

I found that the pretzels and carob chips turned out better when I put them on top of the granola bar instead of within the mix.

Other Ideas for Add-ins

• Walnuts and Blueberries
• M&Ms and Marshmallows
• Dried Cranberries, Almonds, and Carob/Chocolate
• Peanut Butter and Dried Cranberries
• Peanut Butter and Marshmallow

The GORP variety was by absolute favorite!!! The sunflower seeds were insanely delicious when cooked. Brought out the nutty flavor. Plus you can never go wrong with a peanut raisin combo.

Which combo sounds the best to you?

x

Casey

Also Happy Halloween!

Tags: apple butter, banana, carob chips, chia, chocolate sunflower seeds, flax, gorp, granola bars, oat bran, Oats, peanuts, pretzel sticks, puffed millet, raisins, sucanat