Yes, the title sounds way too good to be true but these bars are just as delicious as they sound! For YEARS I searched for a chewy granola bar recipe that I would love! And I know, my cooking blog is called “GRANOLA GIRL BAKES” so I really should have had this recipe figured out years ago. π I am just a little really fond of Chewy Granola Bars but the only problem is almost all recipes call for corn-syrup and, whenever possible, I try to avoid using/eating it. After many failed recipes and quite a bit of searching, I finally came up with the perfect combination of salty-sweet-chewiness that my entire family loves! AND to make the deal sweeter, these Chewy Granola Bars are NATURALLY GLUTEN FREE!! π Okay, so I know there are a few crazy people out there that don’t like peanut butter ;). If you are one of these people, the peanut butter is completely optional! Put your own twist to the bars by adding cranberries, raisins, nuts, white chocolate chips, or whatever may come to mind and let me know how you like them! π
Yields 1 9×13 (about 16 bars!)
- 4 cups quick cooking oats (or pulse whole oats in a food processor a bit)
- 2 C rice crispy cereal
- 1/2 C shredded coconut
- 1/2 C butter
- 1/2 C honey
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 C creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 C chocolate chips(Use frozen chocolate chips to prevent excessive melting! π
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, cereal and coconut. Add peanut butter(optional) to the top and set aside! Set a small saucepan over medium high heat and melt the butter. Add the honey, brown sugar and salt. Stir together then leave it alone as it comes to a boil. Once the boil has reached all the way around the edges of the pan, begin timing(this is where your iphone will come in handy ;)! Allow this mixture to boil for 2 minutes and 20 seconds. During this time, you may need to turn the heat down a bit so it doesnβt overflow, but be sure it keeps boiling.
- Add the vanilla and then pour the mixture over the oats, using a rubber spatula to get all the sugar mixture out of the pan. Mix the ingredients together until the oats are completely coated. Add in chocolate chips(and any other mix-ins you would like) then press very firmly into parchment lined 9Γ13β³ pan! Place them in the freezer for 20 minutes then cut to size.
- ENJOY!!
Rebekah
Just bought the ingredients! I think my family will enjoy these! Thank you for sharing, Rachel. π
Rebekah
Okay, I just made them. Question: do you let the mixture cool for awhile before adding the chocolate chips? Mine were…well, less than sightly. π
Rachel
I don’t but I always keep my chocolate chips in the freezer (Texas heat tends to make for melty chips unless frozen ;). If the chips aren’t frozen I would definitely wait 5 or so minutes!!
Rebekah
Freeze the chocolate chips — good idea!
Rebekah
Oh dear! And I just realised that I made them butter-less! Ha!
Rachel
Oh no!! :b Well, I guess they will be low fat. ;D
Rebekah
Yes, unintentional on my part — but God knows best! π I just bought running shoes the other evening. This way, I won’t be counterproductive when it comes to my girth! π
Rachel
“He hath done all things well” π :b but hey, these bars will give you enough energy to start running marathons! π
Rebekah
I made the recipe again today — with butter. Very good! You’re “frozen chocolate chip” tip in parenthesis made me chuckle. π
My sister-in-law said that it was the best homemade granola that she has had with pb in it. And she asked for the recipe. So, it’s a winner here! Thanks again for the recipe!
Rachel
So glad to hear!! π
Rebekah
Have you recieved my past two emails? I know that you’re a busy gal, just want to make sure that you are getting them.
Rachel
I’ll check my email. π Been having email issues lately so I have an mess in my inbox at the moment….
rebekah
This morning, i made this without the pb and with mable syrup in place of the honey. It turned out being a good granola cereal, but not a granola bar. i’ll have to experiment some more. So glad to have been introduced to your recipe, as i had never made granola in my life and in a week’s time, i’ve already made it 3x!