Homemade Granola Bars
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
The perfect blend of chewy, crunchy, and not-too-sweet goodness.
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12-16
Ingredients
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
  • ½ cup toasted wheat germ
  • ⅔ cup honey
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 1½ cup dried fruit, or a mix of dried fruit (I used chopped raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, and dried apricots)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, and grease it with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Combine the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together, spread on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven for 10-12 minutes until light brown. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees.
  4. Mix in the toasted wheat germ to the oatmeal mixture. Stir in the honey, vanilla, and salt, and mix until everything is well coated. Then add the dried fruit.
  5. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, and press it in firmly.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. As soon as you remove the dish from the oven, use a potato masher to pack it in as tightly as possible.
  7. Allow to cool for at least 2 hours, and cut into bars using a serrated knife.
  8. Store in an airtight container in the freezer, if you like them crunchy. If you prefer them soft, leave them at room temperature.
Recipe by The Cuban Reuben at https://thecubanreuben.com/softball-snack-homemade-granola-bars/