If you are someone who only eats at meal times, power to you. Around 3 PM on most days, I am struck with an intense snack craving akin to someone on a two hour hike. As a teacher, I know I am not alone in that feeling. The last bell of the day rings and kids are off scavenging for snacks like leopards on the hunt. Unfortunately, many students settle for highly processed, fire hydrant red powdered "cheese" puffs and other snacks with a similar dirth in substence. Parents, fear not! We have an easy and delicious alternative: Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars.
These bars are the perfect refueling snack for children (and adults too!) who need the energy for afternoon activities like tutorials and sports, without the excessive sugar and salt. The nuts offer great protein while the wheat germ adds a nice fiber boost! Enjoy.
Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars
Recipe by Justin Kouri
Ingredients
1c Rolled oats
½c Pecans, roughly chopped
¼c Shredded coconut
2T Coconut oil
1/3c Honey
1T Brown sugar
1t Vanilla extract
2T Wheat germ
½t Sea salt
¼c Dried cranberries
PROCEDURE
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9"x5" loaf pan with parchment paper so that there is an extra 2" on the long sides of the pan. This will make it easier to remove the finished product from the pan.
Place oats, pecans and coconut on baking sheet and toast for 15 minutes, stirring the ingredients every five minutes.
Meanwhile, over medium-high heat, combine coconut oil, honey, brown sugar and vanilla in small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Right when it begins to bubble, remove from heat.
Once the oat mixture is toasted, place in large metal bowl. Add wheat germ, salt and dried cranberries to the oat mixture. Add the warm honey mixture to the bowl and stir until everything is combined. Pour into prepared pan, and press with spatula so that the mixture is uniform. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then wrap with plastic and chill for 45 minutes, or overnight. Pull the granola loaf out of the pan, cut into 6 uniform bars and serve.
Yields: 6 servings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Active cooking time: 15 minutes
Inactive cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Skill level: Easy
Let us know how you and your kiddos like them in the comments below! What would you add?
