When I am looking for a treat to make a neighbor or a friend, I used to turn to a classic red box of brownies.
I would then go to make up the box of brownies and feel guilty that I wasn’t making something more healthy. So I would proceed to cut out a major ingredient, like oil and bake the brownies.
The brownies would either come out, dried, crumbly and nasty, or they I would underbake them so they were too fudgy to cut.
Then I would have the big decision of whether I should give them the ugly plate of “healthy brownies”, the gross dried brownies or throw the whole batch away and make them with all ingredients, not caring about the fact they were a treat.
I have since learned.
Stop making brownies what they are not. When I want to make something a little better for you than a big batch of brownies, I make these granola bars.
They are still a treat because they aren’t low in sugar or fat, but they are also made of whole food ingredients that your body can use.
They fill you up on healthy fats and whole grain carbs, and you can make them however you wish!
If you have a friend with a peanut allergy, simply use soy nut butter! If you know someone who doesn’t like chocolate, fill them with dried fruit. If you are trying to make them more like a treat, add chocolate chips and sprinkles!
The ideas are endless.
Another positive, kids can make them with you!
Easy No-Bake Granola Bars
- 1/2 c. natural peanut butter (or almond butter, soy nut butter, sunflower seed butter, etc)
- 1/3 c. honey
- 1/4 c. coconut oil
- 2 1/2 c. old fashioned oats
- 1 T. vanilla
- 1 T. chia seeds or ground flax seed
- handful of craisins or other dried fruit
- handful of slivered almonds or other nuts
- Melt coconut oil, peanut butter and honey until soft. Add vanilla.
- Add oats and other ingredients.
- Stir together to combine.
- Allow bars to cool and harden. You can put them outside or in the freezer to speed up the process. They are best stored in the fridge so they will bind together.
- Enjoy!
