Homemade Fruit & Nut Granola Bars

Homemade Fruit & Nut Granola Bars

3.7 of 5 (39)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 16
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 160.7
  • Total Fat: 6.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 31.5 mg
  • Total Carbs: 24.3 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3.0 g
  • Protein: 4.4 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Homemade Fruit & Nut Granola Bars calories by ingredient


Introduction

Better than store-bought, these granola bars include healthy almonds, whole grain, natural sweeteners and a touch of fruit. Better than store-bought, these granola bars include healthy almonds, whole grain, natural sweeteners and a touch of fruit.
Number of Servings: 16

Ingredients

    3 Tbsp. almond, peanut or soy butter
    2 Tbsp. honey
    4 Tbsp. agave nectar
    3 Tbsp. brown sugar
    1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
    1 1/2 cups puffed wheat, kamut or rice cereal
    1/2 c. Grape Nuts cereal
    1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
    1/2 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
    1/4 cup flaxseed
    1/4 cup sunflower seeds
    1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, blueberries, cherries, apricots, apples)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, so that the paper overhangs on opposite sides (to make removing the bars easy).

In a small saucepan, combine nut butter, honey, agave nectar, brown sugar and vanilla. Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently, until the brown sugar dissolves and the nut butter is incorporated smoothly into the mixture.

In a large bowl, combine puffed wheat (or rice or kamut), oats, Grape Nuts, chopped almonds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and dried fruit. Pour 1/2 of the warm honey mixture over the oat mixture and use a rubber spatula to combine. Pour the remaining honey mixture over the oat mixture and continue stirring with the spatula until the mixture is thoroughly blended. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and use the spatula to press the mixture firmly.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the granola bars are golden brown all over. Remove the pan from the oven and again use the rubber spatula to press down on the mixture. Let the bars cool completely in the pan, then use the overhanging parchment paper to lift them out of the pan. On a cutting board, use a sharp knife to cut 16 pieces. Wrap and keep air-tight for a week. Granola bars can also be wrapped and stored in a plastic bag in the freezer for several months.

Serving Size: makes 12 bars

TAGS:  Snacks | Snack | Snacks Snack |

Member Ratings For This Recipe


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    Very Good
    13 of 13 people found this review helpful
    I made changes due to food allergies in my family, but it still turned out really well. I don't expect granola to be low in carbs, so I wasn't surprised or disappointed by the count or cals in this recipe. Easy to modify if folks want to up the protein or cut the carbs. Thanks for posting! - 8/3/12


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    11 of 18 people found this review helpful
    Seems a little high in calories for a snack and really high in carbohydrates. I would love to see a version closer to 100 Calories and 15-20g carbohydrates (without just making it 16 bars instead of 12). - 8/2/12


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    Very Good
    7 of 7 people found this review helpful
    Great recipe and easy to follow. Any snack under 200 calories is a winner. I don't see what the big deal is with the amount of carbs. The last time I checked, my body needed the carbs and this was mainly the type of carbs I should be consuming along with the fiber. Also, its easy to add more protein - 1/18/13


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    7 of 7 people found this review helpful
    This tastes AMAZING! Love it! My family especially likes it with dried cherries! But here's a hint, the granola MUST cool COMPLETELY or it will all fall apart! In order to cut it into bars it HAS to cool. Didn't think it was so important and just had a giant pile the first time. - 11/5/12


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    Incredible!
    7 of 7 people found this review helpful
    These are so terrific! I used all honey because I don't use agave syrup; they came out fine. - 8/20/12