School Lunches - Granola Bars 12 Ways

It's Monday! Time for another delicious and healthy school lunch box idea for all the busy mumma'a (and dads). These granola bars are a wonderful healthy option to pop in the kids lunch boxes, start with the basic recipe, then allow your creativity and your childrens taste buds choose what flavours and add ons to blend in.

You can freeze these granola bars for up to a month, making it quick and easy to grab out of the freezer the night before.

We have reposted "life made sweeter's" Granola recipe, here's the direct link: https://lifemadesweeter.com/granola-bars/ Please head on over to their website for more delicious recipes. www.lifemadesweeter.com

Here's the recipe...enjoy!

These Granola Bars are quick, easy and make healthy snacking for on the go more enjoyable than ever. With 12 irresistible flavours to choose from, you can switch up your snack and breakfast lineup by making these healthy homemade granola bars all the time! Filled with protein, fibere gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free with grain-free, nut-free, vegan, paleo, low carb and keto options.

granola bars are portable, delicious snack bars that are usually made with oats, nut or seed butter, sweetener, sometimes protein powder, plus any add-ins of your choice. Not only do they taste like dessert, but I love that you can customise them with the ingredients you have on hand.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

If you’re the kind of person that likes to experiment with flavours on your own, go for it! This base recipe is the perfect place to start. You can find the ingredients for my 12 favourite variations in the full recipe below.

• Natural Nut or Seed Butter: This could be almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter – use what you like!

• Sticky Natural Sweetener: Such as maple syrup, coconut flower nectar syrup, organic agave syrup, date syrup, vacon syrup or brown rice syrup to keep these granola bars vegan. You can also sub with honey (if not vegan) or a low carb sweetener such as maple syrup, or liquid monk fruit to keep them lower in sugar.

• Coconut Oil: This helps the granola bars hold their shape.

• Pure Vanilla Extract: To set the stage for all your flavours.

• Ground Cinnamon: Balance the sweetness and boost the flavour in your bars by adding cinnamon! You can also add other spices like nutmeg and ginger.

• Sea Salt: If you use salted nut butter, feel free to leave this out.

• Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: For grain-free, low-carb and paleo granola bars, simply swap the oats for an equal amount of coconut flakes and sliced almonds (roughly chopped)

• Gluten-Free Rice Crisps: Use a mixture of sesame seeds and sunflower seeds for low carb and paleo bars.

• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: Or ground flax seed, almond meal or protein powder.

• Water: A little water helps bind everything together.

• Almonds: Finely chopped. Sub with sunflower seeds for nut-free bars.

• Whole Almonds: Or pecans, walnuts, etc. Leave these out if you have a nut allergy.

ADD-IN IDEAS

Here are just a few of the yummy things you can put in homemade granola bars!

• Chocolate Chips: Use sugar-free and vegan chocolate chips as needed.

• Dried Fruit: Add your favourite dehydrated fruits for a pop of sweetness!

• Chia Seeds: These super healthy seeds are a great addition to any granola recipe.

• Sunflower Seeds: I’m a big fan of these hearty seeds, especially when they’re nestled into my granola bars.

• Pumpkin Seeds: I love the kind of crunch you get with pumpkin seeds, and not to mention the flavour!

HOW TO MAKE GRANOLA BARS

Let’s get into the basics of making homemade granola bars. Variation recipes may differ, but this is the general process for each one. Be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions or watch the video below to see how easy they are to make!

1. Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy bar removal, and set aside.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients & Flavourings: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the almond butter, honey and coconut oil together. Bring it to a gentle boil, while stirring, then allow it to boil so the mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon and salt (if using).

Add Dry Ingredients & Water: Stir in the oats, followed by the crisped rice cereal, the shredded coconut and finally the water. Mix until everything is well combined.

Assemble in Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Using a flat spatula, press down very firmly to flatten, until tight and compressed. Press in the whole almonds and any optional add-ins.

For Baked Bars: Bake the bars in a preheated oven at 325°F for 21-25 minutes. Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, or chill them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Slice into even bars and serve.

FLAVOuRS AND VARIATIONS

Not sure where to start when it comes to flavouring your homemade granola bars? These are our favourite granola bar variations and all so delicious! Try them out according to your tastes and dietary needs.

1. No Bake Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips: This classic no-bake energy bar is always a hit! Feel free to use any kind of chocolate chips you like.

2. Apple Quinoa: This vegan variation features apple sauce, dried apples and crunchy quinoa. You can also add pecans, walnuts and hemp seeds, if desired.

3. Blueberry Almond: This sweet blueberry granola bar is also vegan! It’s made with Himalayan salt and dried or freeze-dried berries.

4. Chocolate Protein: This chocolatey bar is one of my top favourite pre-workout snacks. It has dates, chia seeds, your favourite protein powder and whole almonds or pecans.

5. Coconut Almond: If you’re on the keto or paleo diet, this is the granola bar for you! It’s full of crunchy nuts and seeds as well as your favourite chocolate chips.

6. Cranberry Almond: Made with homemade date paste, almonds, cranberries and more, this easy no-bake variation will become a go-to snack or make-ahead breakfast.

7. Oatmeal Raisin: This one seriously tastes like an oatmeal raisin cookie in granola bar form! It’s a classic that could never get old.

8. Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate: Topped with a layer of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt, these healthy granola bars taste like a dessert!

9. Pistachio Dark Chocolate: The sweet and salty combo in this variation is spot on. It’s made with Himalayan salt, pistachios and mini chocolate chips.

10. Pumpkin: This yummy bar is the ultimate snack for fall. Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice make it feel like a Thanksgiving treat!

11. Strawberry: You can’t go wrong with a strawberry granola bar, and this recipe proves that more than anything. It features sliced almonds and dried or freeze dried strawberries. You can also add in some mini chocolate chips if you’d like!

12. Tahini Maple Hemp Seed: Last, but certainly not least, this simple variation is flavoured to perfection with maple syrup, tahini and Himalayan salt.