I pack my husband's lunch every morning before he heads off to work, and these bars are part of my regular rotation of homemade snacks that I always keep on hand. I alternate between these and the No Bake Energy Bites depending on how much prep time I have since these bars require the stove top while the bites are a stir-and-go recipe. (Both are still super simple, though!)
Chewy No Bake Granola Bars
Yield: 9x13 pan
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups crisped rice cereal (I use Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice)
1 3/4 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Quick Cooking Oats
1/4 cup wheat germ (or ground flaxseed, wheat bran, additional oats, etc.)*
1/2 cup additional mix-ins (i.e. shredded coconut, chopped nuts, raisins or other dried fruit, sesame seed, sunflower kernels, etc.)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup peanut butter (creamy and/or crunchy)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
*My favorite thing to use for this item in the ingredient list is this Super Seed & Ancient Grain Blend from Trader Joe's. We don't have this store locally, so my mom (who lives in Texas) ships these bags to me a few times throughout the year!
Directions
1. Combine first 4 dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In a saucepan, mix the honey, brown sugar, and salt. Over medium-low heat, stir until the mixture comes to a complete boil for 30-60 seconds.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until smooth.
4. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.
5. Grease 9x13 pan with nonstick spray. Sprinkle half of chocolate chips in pan. Scoop mixture over chocolate chips in pan. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Press down into even layer. (I use the palm of my hand.)
6. Let cool before cutting into bars.
Recipe adapted from Money Saving Mom.
