Well, sad but true, it is time to start thinking about everyone heading back to school. Summer has been amazing. What a great time to take a much needed vacation, work on projects, and make special memories with our children. I always feel like just as the heat of summer is really cranking up, the anticipation of fall and all it brings, makes me hang in there through the 100+ degree days. The start of school always ensures me that cool fall days are right around the corner. To get you going on ideas for lunch boxes or work brown bagging, I want to share many of my fresh and healthy recipes. One of my favorites is my recipe for Homemade Chewy Granola Bars. It combines almond butter, coconut oil, honey and lots of nuts, oat, and dried fruits for a healthy treat you can have for breakfast, lunch, or an after school snack. You can freeze them for up to 6 months so they will always be lunch box ready!
- 2½ cups Old Fashioned Oats (not quick cooking)
- ½ cup nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, etc.)
- ½ cup dried fruits (cranberries, apricots, raisins, etc.)
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9 x 9 or quarter sheet baking pan with foil. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine oats and nuts. Pour onto baking pan and toast in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Pour oat and nut mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add dried fruits to mixture.
- In a small saucepan, combine almond butter, honey, and coconut oil. Place on medium heat and whisk until mixture is smooth and melted. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Pour mixture over oats, nuts and dried fruits in the bowl. Add in white chocolate chips. Stir until completely combined.
- Pour onto foil lined baking pan. Evenly sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
- With wet fingers, press very firmly into the baking pan. This will ensure that the granola bars will not crumble when cut.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Invert onto a cutting board and remove foil.
- Cut into squares and serve or wrap individually in plastic wrap or wax paper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 6 months.
You can also substitute the almond butter for peanut or other nut butter. Mix and match nuts, dried fruits and chocolate chips for different flavor combinations.
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