Alexis Barbosa

“Store-bought granola bars are typically packed with sugar and do not usually taste good,” said Lauren Allen. Allen contributes many recipes to “Tastes Better From Scratch” such as the homemade granola bars shown above.

National Granola Bar Day is approaching this coming week, and no-bake granola bars are a perfect treat to celebrate the occasion. No-bake granola bars are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to make granola bars that are not store-bought. These granola bars can be made into many different flavors, such as chocolate chip, nuts, dried fruit, coconut and peanut butter. 

Ingredients:

• Two and a quarter cups of quick-cooking oats
• One and a half cups of crispy rice cereal
• Two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds (optional)
• Six tablespoons of butter
• One-third cup of honey
• Three-quarters of a cup of light brown packed sugar
• One teaspoon of vanilla extract and half a cup of mini chocolate chips. 

Instructions:

1. To start, line an eight or nine inch square pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl stir, together the oats, Rice Krispies and flaxseed.
3. Add butter, brown sugar and honey to a large microwave-safe bowl and heat the mixture on high power for one minute.
4. Then, remove the heated mixture from the microwave and stir the mixture until the butter has melted.
5. Return it to the microwave and heat on high power for one and a half minutes.
6. Carefully remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla.
7. Pour over the oats mixture and stir gently until coated evenly.
8. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.
9. Pour the mixture into prepared pan.
10. Lightly grease hands with cooking spray and press the mixture evenly into the pan.
11. Lay a piece of parchment or wax paper over the top of the bars, then press extra firmly all around the pan to flatten the bars.
12. This is the most important step to ensure they do not crumble when cutting them.
13. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and press them gently onto the tops of the bars.
14. Refrigerate for about one to two hours before pulling up on the parchment paper to remove them from the pan and cut them.  

These bars are healthy snacks which can be stored in an airtight container to become firmer. They are best enjoyed within seven days of being made.