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Homemade Healthy Granola Bars :D

  
I'm back to baking! Last night I adapted a cookie recipe into granola bars and their much healthier then the store bought versions. Homemade is always more nutritionist and the best thing about it is you can add any of your favorite's to the mix. There are so many ideas to this recipe to make it your own. I'm so glad I checked out all-recipes and found this great recipe. The bars were a super hit and I'll definitely have to make another batch. I'll have to see what other versions I will make next time, maybe apple cinnamon?


These granola bars are quite different in flavor/texture from anything in the stores. They have no added sugar or fat. They get all their sweetness from the fruits and the fat is replaced with mashed banana. The bananas give the oats flavor and helps with combining the mix.The bars are chewy and soft while being a little crunchy based on whats added in the mix. They are not at all sticky and hold well together with the help of the banana and veggie oil. They are not overly sweet and are great for a healthy energy treat. 


For my creation I added my favorites,dried cranberries and mini semisweet chocolate chips. I also added a little bit of cinnamon for spice. The great thing about this recipe is you can have so many varieties. Plus to be even healthier you can have applesauce as a replacement to the vegetable oil or any fruit puree that fits well with banana. Its incredibly simple and relaxed recipe. Quick to make, very little ingredient and clean up.  I highly recommend this recipe and I'll be definitely making them again :D.

Homemade Healthy Granola Bars (Adapted From Healthy Banana Cookies)

Yields: 12 regular granola bars

2 overripe bananas or 2 frozen black bananas(thawed), mashed 
2 cups old fashion rolled oats
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, chopped
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup vegetable oil (can replace with apple sauce)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla


Mash bananas in large bowl.
(If using frozen bananas, let thaw out or for quicker thawing microwave till soft.)

Add oats, dried cranberries,mini chips, cinnamon, vegetable oil and vanilla.Mix till combined.
Place in fridge for 15 minutes till set. Preheat oven to 350F.Grease 9 inch glass pan. Spread evenly in pan. Bake for 20 minutes, till golden brown around edges and center.Let cool, release from pan on to cookie rack. Let cool completely in refrigerator. Cut into 12 bars. Storage: Keep in fridge and container.
(helps from becoming to moist and falling apart) (regular size granola bars)








Comments

  1. I might make these tonight with Mathew! They would be a great healthy snack for him :) Great recipe!

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  2. You definitely should make them with Mathew, their a super easy & kid friendly recipe. I'm already getting requests to make more :). I'm already thinking up new ideas for different kinds :D

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  3. Thanks for linking up to THIS WEEK’S CRAVINGS “CHOCOLATE”, we are already enjoying over 125 recipes, so make sure to stop back by and see them all. It’s gonna be one SWEET week!

    And don’t forget to come back next week (Monday) for “HIDDEN INGREDIENT”… “What can you hide in your recipes?”

    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/search/label/THIS%20WEEKS%20CRAVINGS

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  4. These look great I have copied the recipe I'm always looking for healthy treats for my family
    I'm sure they will love them ! Thanx for sharing
    Sherrie from simpleliving

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  5. Tina:Your Welcome. I'll be sure to drop by next week :)

    Sherrie:That's awesome. I love hearing from people that are going to try out the recipes. Be sure to drop by again and tell me how it went :)

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  6. I really want to make these, my kids love granola bars and I thought it would be great to try some homemade recipes!

    P.S. I am having a giveaway at my blog, it is the cutest and most practical diaper bag you have ever seen! Come on over and enter to win!

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  7. They are really good granola bars and many varieties can be made. Have fun!

    Awws thats awesome your having a giveaway :). To bad I'm not interested and I dont know anyone that would need one. Thanks for the invitation and I'll be sure to check out your site

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  8. Wonderful idea to use mashed banana, I'm definately going to give this a go. How long do they last in the fridge? I'm just thinking that the ripe banana would perish quite quickly.

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  9. Hey Anonymous :)

    I'm happy that your thinking of making these.Really ripe bananas are best for this recipe for flavor and they are easier mashed. When I made these bars they were eaten in a couple days.I can imagine these staying perfectly fine up to 3-4 days or longer in an air tight container in the fridge. I recommend making them to eat them right away depending on what your putting in them. I look at this recipe as a cookie,best to eat them right away.

    Thanks for your comment. Hope I helped!Keep in the fridge and they will be fine.

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  10. I love this recipe, have just about everything on hand and will be making these today. (Since I have bananas in my freezer that will expire soon.) Just one question. Can these be frozen? Have you tried that?

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  11. Hey Claudia.

    If your talking about the actual granola's being frozen I don't have an accurate answer for you since I've never tried it myself.Its definitely something I like to find out though.I know the bars last 3-4 days or more in airtight container.

    If you do try to freeze them. I recommend trying it with just a couple bars just in case it doesn't work out.Let me know how it turns out, I cant see a problem with it.

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