Chewy Granola Bars

{Chewy Granola Bars with dried cranberries and chocolate chips}

I don't know about you, but I have always been a granola bar lover.  But only the chewy kind.  I try to pretend the other kind doesn't exist.  The "crunchy, break your teeth, crumble all over the front of our shirt while you are trying to eat it" kind and I don't get a long.  Nope, nope.  Chewy is the only way to go!


Sometimes we eat these granola bars for breakfast along with a fruit smoothie, but most often they are consumed as a morning snack. (No matter the size of breakfast, my kids want to eat again in two hours, or less!)  I like that these bars satisfy a sweet-tooth but don't leave you on a "sugar high."  They are also quite filling for their small size.  But what I love the most about these bars is that they are quick to make and simple to adapt to your personal taste.  

Chewy Granola Bars

yields 24 bars--depending on how you slice them of course! =)

• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup peanut butter (you can substitute with sunflower butter or almond butter if you have a peanut allergy)
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 cups Rice Krispies
• 1 tbsp. ground flax seed
• 2 tbsp. wheat germ
• 2 cups of "add-ins" (raisins, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips)

1.  In a large bowl, combine oats, rice krispies, flax seed and wheat germ.

2.  Melt honey and peanut butter together in a microwave safe dish.  Mix well.

3.  Pour melted honey/peanut butter mixture over oat mixture.  Stir to combine.

4.  Toss in your combination of "add-ins."  Mix well.

5.  Pour into a greased 13x9 inch pan and spread. Next, take your spatula and press the mixture evenly into the pan.  This makes your granola bars stick together better!  

6.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting.  Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

*Note:  These are also easy to freeze!  After chilling and slicing, place individual granola bars on a baking sheet.  Freeze for 24 hours.  Remove from the cookie sheet and store in a ziploc bag. 

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