Freezer Ready Granola Bars

Great recipe for hikes, day trips, or a quick breakfast!

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE ROOTED IN NUTRITION NEWSLETTER!

Ingredients:


1/2 cup Coconut oil, softened

2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour ( I like using gluten free baking flour with salt and baking agents already added)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking powder (add if using regular flour)

1/4 teaspoon salt (add if using regular flour)

1-1/2 cups whole oats

2 Tablespoons of ground flax seed

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

1-1/4 cups Crispy Rice cereal

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds)

1/2 cup raisins, dates, or semisweet chocolate chips, (all optional)


Instructions:


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream oil and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, honey and vanilla. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into a creamed mixture. Stir in oats, rice cereal, flax seed, coconut flakes, nuts, and if desired, dried fruit or chocolate chips.


2. Press into a greased 13x9 in. pan. Bake until light brown, 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars, wrap in wax paper and freeze-- or Preheat the electric skillet to 200 degrees and spray with avocado oil. Press into pan and turn up to 275 degrees for 35 minutes with lid.


"As a Dietitian for almost 30 years and a mom of three, I like to practice the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of the time, I practice what I preach and twenty percent, I give in. This is my version of “prepackaged granola bars”. I’ve modified the recipe over the years and added less sugar. I can make 12-24 bars with no added preservatives. If a packaged bar stays “fresh” in my pantry for a year, I don’t want to eat it!! This recipe allows you to add in ingredients like ground flax, pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes or whatever you wish. Be creative and have fun by changing it up every time!! They can be baked in the oven, but I like using my oil core electric skillet. When I don’t use the oven, I save on electricity and it keeps my kitchen cool. After they are baked, allow to cool and cut. Then wrap in wax paper and freeze in a bag. Now you’re ready to grab and go before your next hike, day trip, or quick breakfast when you oversleep and zoom class starts in 2 minutes..."