Crispy Homemade Granola Bars
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to get the family into the kitchen and make a batch of homemade granola bars. These Crispy Homemade Granola Bars are easy to prepare, fun to customize, and make a delicious treat for busy school days.
If you love granola bars with a little extra crunch, Rice Krispies are the perfect addition. They give homemade granola bars a light, crispy texture while oats, nut butter, and honey add plenty of flavor. This easy recipe comes together quickly and is perfect for breakfasts, lunch boxes, or an afternoon snack.
Making homemade granola bars is even more fun when the whole family gets involved. These crispy Rice Krispies granola bars are simple to prepare, and there are plenty of jobs for little and big helpers alike.
Start by gathering all the ingredients together. Kids can help measure the oats, Rice Krispies, dried fruit, nuts, and other mix-ins. Measuring is a great way to introduce younger children to cooking while giving older kids a chance to take charge of part of the recipe.
Then comes the hardest part—waiting! Once they’re ready, cut them into individual pieces and enjoy your homemade creation together.
Once the bars have chilled and been cut, wrap them individually for an easy grab-and-go snack. They’re perfect for slipping into lunch boxes, enjoying after school, or keeping on hand for those busy mornings when everyone is rushing out the door.
The best thing about a homemade back-to-school treat is that it comes sprinkled with a little extra love.
Ingredients…..
- old-fashioned rolled oats
- Rice Krispies cereal
- peanut butter or almond butter
- honey
- maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- cinnamon
- chopped nuts or seeds
- dried cranberries or raisins
- mini chocolate chips, optional
- pinch of salt
Crispy Homemade Granola Bars are proof that a great snack doesn’t have to be complicated. With a handful of everyday ingredients and a few simple steps, you can make a batch of delicious bars that are easy to customize and perfect for keeping on hand.
Here’s to a happy new school year, full lunch boxes, and plenty of homemade treats!
Scroll Down For The Complete Recipe….
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey and 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts or seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Begin by lining an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave some parchment hanging over the edges so you can easily lift the bars out later.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, Rice Krispies, nuts, and dried fruit. If you're using chocolate chips, wait to add them until the mixture has cooled slightly.
- In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, honey, and maple syrup. Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring until everything is smooth and well combined. Remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the warm mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything is coated. Then transfer everything to the prepared pan.
- Here's the most important step: press the mixture down firmly. Use the back of a spoon, a spatula, or another piece of parchment paper to compact it as tightly as possible. This helps the bars hold together when they're cut.
- Refrigerate the pan for about an hour, or until the mixture is firm. Lift it out using the parchment paper and cut it into individual bars.