Healthy Chewy Granola Bars

304

The BEST granola bars I have ever eaten, no joke. Packed with goodness you can feel good about feeding to your kids. No corn syrup but thick and chewy as ever with little surprises of dark chocolate.... Mmm...enough, I need to go eat one.

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 c. brown sugar (or 1/3 c. xylitol + 1 tsp. molasses)
1 t. baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup cream peanut butter (I use natural, no sugar or oils added)
1/3 cup honey (or agave if diabetic)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I use 70% cocoa)
1/2 cup slivered almonds, pecans, or whatever nut/seed suits your fancy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 or just use a piece of parchment to line pan. In a large mixing bowl combine oats, flour, brown sugar or xylitol/molasses, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, stir together the butter, water, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until incorporated well. Add chocolate chips and nuts/seeds. Press the mixture evenly into the pan and bake for about 20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before lifting bars out. Cut into pieces of desired size.

Nutritions

Calories
332

Sodium
167mg
6% DV

Fat
16g
24% DV

Protein
18g
36% DV

Carbs
30g
10% DV

Fiber
2g
8% DV