How To Make Your Own Granola Bars

Granola bars are always a great to snack on the go and as college students, we’re always on the go. Whether it’s running to class, to club meetings or late night study sessions, it’s always a good idea to have a granola bar or two handy. But buying granola bars at $2 to $3 can get pretty pricey, especially if you eat them on a daily basis. Not to mention the fact that some granola bars aren’t really as healthy as we think they are. Either way, making granola bars at home is definitely a better investment. It takes less than $20 to make a single batch and it’s completely customizable for your own tastes. Choose your own nuts, dried fruits and sweeteners to make your homemade granola bars your new favorite.
There is also a variety of different granola recipes out there, but here’s a quick run down of what ingredients you’ll need and what ingredients are easily swapped in and out.

The base of your granola should include:

Photo by Patrick Domingo

2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup nut butter of your choice (peanut, almond, hazelnut, sunflower, nutella)
1 egg white or egg white substitute (this is the binding agent)
1/2 unsalted butter (melted)

Optional Ingredients:
Chocolate chips
Roughly chopped nuts of your choice
Dried fruits
Coconut flakes
Flax seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Assorted spices (Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, just to name a few)

Chocolate Raspberry Granola Bars

Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup almond butter
1 egg white
1/2 unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 freeze dried raspberries
1/2 cup roughly chopped almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350^o F
2. Mix your egg white with a whisk until nice and frothy.
   

   Photo by Patrick Domingo

3. Add in the honey and the nut butter. Mix to combine
   

   Photo by Patrick Domingo

4. Add in the rolled oats, melted butter and roughly chopped nuts.
   

   Photo by Patrick Domingo

5. Mix in the optional ingredients (chocolate chips, dried fruits, seeds, etc.)
   

   Photo by Patrick Domingo

6. Using a rubber spatula spread the mixture into a baking pan (8×8) lined with parchment paper. If using a smaller baking pan, divide your batch into 2.
   

   Photo by Patrick Domingo

7. Bake for 15 minutes or until the granola is brown along the edges.
   

   Photo by Patrick Domingo

8. Turn off the oven and let the bars cool in the oven for 1 hour