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The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Granola Bars

Granola bars have become a staple snack for many, offering a delicious blend of sweetness and crunch whilst packing a nutritional punch. Yet, many shop-bought varieties can be laden with sugar and preservatives. Making your own homemade granola bars not only ensures you know exactly what goes into them but also allows for creativity in flavours and textures. In this guide, we will explore the benefits, basic recipes, and tips to perfect your homemade granola bars.

The Benefits of Homemade Granola Bars

1. Control Over Ingredients: By making your own granola bars, you can choose wholesome, natural ingredients that align with your dietary preferences. Use organic oats, fresh nuts, and dried fruits to create bars packed with nutrition.

2. Tailored Flavours: Homemade bars allow you to experiment with flavours. Whether you prefer a classic combination of oats and honey or something more adventurous like chocolate and coconut, the choice is yours.

3. Cost-Effective: Purchasing granola bars can add up, especially when opting for health-conscious brands. By making them at home, you can save both money and time.

4. No Unwanted Additives: Many commercial granola bars contain sugar syrup, artificial flavours, and preservatives. Homemade bars can remain free from these unwanted extras, providing a healthier alternative.

Basic Recipe for Homemade Granola Bars

Here’s a simple and versatile recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 200g rolled oats
• 100g mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts), roughly chopped
• 50g seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, or chia)
• 100g honey or maple syrup
• 50g nut butter (such as almond butter or peanut butter)
• 100g dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or apricots), chopped if large
• A pinch of sea salt
• Optional: spices (cinnamon, vanilla extract, or cocoa powder) for added flavour

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a pinch of salt. If you’re using spices, add them here.

3. Melt the Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan, gently heat the honey and nut butter over low heat until melted and well combined. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

4. Combine: Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until everything is well-coated.

5. Press into a Tin: Line a baking tin (approximately 20cm x 20cm) with parchment paper. Transfer the granola mixture into the tin and press down firmly to create an even layer.

6. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

7. Cool and Cut: Once baked, allow the granola to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. Carefully lift it out using the parchment paper and let it cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

8. Store: Once cut, store the granola bars in an airtight container. They can last up to a week, or you can freeze them for longer storage.

Tips for Perfecting Your Bars

• Experiment with Textures: Consider adding shredded coconut, chocolate chips, or puffed rice to vary the texture. Just be cautious not to add too many “extras” that could affect the binding of the bars.

• Play with Sweeteners: While honey and maple syrup are popular, you can also use agave nectar or brown sugar, depending on your preference.

• Don’t Overbake: To keep your bars chewy rather than crunchy, avoid overbaking. They will harden as they cool, so take them out when they’re lightly golden.

• Customise Portions: If you prefer bite-sized snacks, cut the mixture into smaller squares. For larger portions, simply increase the size of your bars.

Conclusion

Homemade granola bars offer not only a wholesome snack option but also an enjoyable cooking experience. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a variety of delicious and nutritious bars that suit your taste and dietary needs. So why not give it a go? Embrace the art of homemade granola bars, and you might find that they become a beloved staple in your household. Happy snacking!

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