No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

I was in the mood to do a little baking today and decided it would be a good day to eat some granola bars. I turned to pinterest and found some on Averie Cooks that looked absolutely delicious. They were so easy that no baking was even required, but they satisfied my sweet tooth just fine. I did change the directions ever so slightly (I don't have a microwave), so if you're looking to make them even faster than how I made them, then follow the recipe on her blog. I also used puffed rice instead of crispy rice because I didn't have any on hand. If you're looking for something with a little more crunch, I suggest getting the crispy rice, but if you're looking for something chewier, then go with the puffed rice. Either one would be delicious! 

Ingredients 

2/3 cup honey

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/4 cup coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional, to taste)

2 cups quick oats

2 cups crispy rice cereal (I used rice puffs)

chocolate chips (optional- I didn't use)

Directions 

Line and 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang. Spray with cooking spray and set aside. 

Place the honey, peanut butter and sugar in a medium sized pot and cook on medium-low until melted. Whisk in the cocoa powder, vanilla and salt and bring to a low boil while stirring constantly (watch that it doesn't burn). Remove from heat and set aside. 

In a medium sized bowl stir together the oats and krispy rice cereal. Pour the dry mix into the wet mix and stir. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and mix well. 

Turn the mixture onto the prepared pan and press down firmly with your hands or a spatula. If the mixture is really sticky, wet your hands or the spatula with a little water and press down again. Cover and place in the freezer for 1 hour so it can set, or 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. 

Using the foil overhang, remove bars from the pan, place on a cutting board and slice into bars. 

Enjoy - Alex

Homemade Fruit Cereal Bars

I did not even consider making my own fruit cereal bars until I saw this recipe. The simplicity of the ingredients when compared to any store-bought cereal bar is astounding. I'm so glad I found this!

And so is my 11 month old...

Slightly adapted from recipe found at Super Healthy Kids

Ingredients

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of fruit of your choice*

1 Tablespoon water

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil (cooled), syrup, vanilla, and eggs. In a separate mixing bowl combine flour, oats, salt, and baking powder. Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until well incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

To make the filling, place the fruit in a small saucepan with the water and cook over med-high head for about 5 minutes stirring frequently. Transfer the fruit into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. 

Preheat oven to 350F. Roll the refrigerated dough on a floured surface. Cut off rough edges, and cut the dough into 3x3 inch squares. Place the filling in the middle of each square, then fold the dough over on top of itself and pinch the open edges. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. 

Enjoy!

- Arianne

*Blueberry pictured above. I've also used strawberries. Mango, Raspberry, or cherry would also be tasty!

No Bake Energy Bites

These are a perfect healthy snack! Super delicious and assembly takes mere minutes. They are just sweet enough that you don't feel the need to gorge yourself on them. Why did it take me so long to try these??

Original recipe found at Gimme Some Oven

Ingredients

1 cup dry oatmeal

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/3 cup honey or maple syrup 

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Press into golf-balled sized balls. Refrigerate or throw in the freezer.

Enjoy!

- Arianne

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

                 

I have tried several granola bar recipes lately, and they've all been good, but I just found they needed a little something more. I found this one today from chewoutloud and they were a huge hit at my house! I love the hint of cinnamon in this recipe, and they are so easy to throw together. Just keep in mind to press them FIRMLY into the pan so they stay nice and chewy instead of crumbly. 

 

Ingredients

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup crispy rice cereal

1/4 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

4 tablespoons coconut oil, or salted butter

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

chocolate chips, to taste

Directions

Butter an 8 x 8 baking pan and set aside. In a large bowl, combine oats and rice cereal. In a saucepan, melt the coconut sugar, honey, and coconut oil over medium heat, stirring until it reaches a low boil. Reduce heat and boil another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. 

Carefully pour honey mixture, over top of cereal mixture. Stir well. Press granola mixture into the buttered pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Using the back of a spoon, or slightly wet hands, press the chocolate chips into the mixture. Place in fridge and wait until fully cooled before cutting into bars. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Chewy Chocolate Granola Bars

(Gluten free, dairy free, egg free and de!)

Slightly adapted from traceysculinaryadventures

Ingredients 

2 cups of quick cooking oats

1 cup of crispy rice cereal (I used Natures Path Rice Puffs)

4 tablespoon of organic coconut oil

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons EnjoyLife chocolate chips 

Directions 

Lightly grease an 8 x 11-inch pan with olive oil.

Place the oats and rice cereal in a medium sized bowl and mix well.  Add the coconut oil, brown sugar, and honey to a small sauce-pan and set over medium high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently. It should boil for a total of 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the vanilla extract. 

Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine.Transfer the mixture to the pan and press down very well (otherwise the bars will be crumbly). Melt the chocolate chips in a microwavable safe bowl and spread across the top of the bars. Wait until it is cool ( I know it will be hard, but all good things come to those who wait), before cutting into bars. Enjoy! -Alex

     Photography by Everglow Photography