HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS

My family loves granola bars. We can easily polish off a box of store-bought bars in a couple days! Even at my price point of less than $1 per box, the cost still adds up quickly, which left me looking for an alternative. I've tried quite a few recipes for homemade granola bars and each had good attributes, but wasn't quite what I was looking for. Some were too sweet, others just boring, and many were too difficult for my little kids to chew. I finally decided to morph my favorites into one recipe and the result is below. These were a huge hit with my family; the best we've made by far!

I also opted to use breakfast cereals being as I usually have quite a few boxes on hand. These granola bars are a great way to use the cereals that are a little bland, but you don't want to go to waste.

If you don't have young children, you can swap out some of the krispie rice cereal for more oats, or another type of cereal. The krispie rice makes them easier for little ones to eat.

Homemade Granola Bars

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter
3 tsp vanilla

3 cups krispie rice cereal
3 cups other cereals {I used 1.5 cups of two different kinds}
3 cups quick cooking oats
4 TBSP flax
1 1/2 cups raisins, craisins, etc.
3/4 cup chocolate chips {optional}

In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, leaving out the chocolate chips. Line a large jelly roll pan with foil and spray the foil lightly with non-stick spray.

  

Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, honey and salt in a saucepan. Heat until just boiling. Remove from heat and add in vanilla and peanut butter. Mix until smooth.

Pour over the cereal/ oat mixture and stir until combined. If you're adding chocolate chips, I suggest waiting about 5 minutes, until it's cooled slightly, then add them in. {I was in a time crunch here, so I just added them. They melted slightly, but it worked out just fine!}

Once mixed well, transfer to the foil-lined pan. Spread mixture evenly, pressing firmly with the back end of a spoon or your hand. I just take one of those little sandwich baggies and put it on my hand, then spray the bag with cooking spray and use my hand to press the mixture in. It's very effective and no clean up as you just discard the bag!

Cool completely before cutting. I stick the whole tray in the freezer for an hour or two. Once cut, you can individually bag them and store them in the freezer.

Enjoy!