Chewy Homemade Granola Bars

Eric takes granola bars everyday with him to work for a little morning pick me up. I had actually forgotten to buy the usual ones I do, but I had been wanting to try my hand at making my own.

These are awesome! They are chewy, and have a nice balance between sweet and salty. 

They very well could replace your favorite store bought brand 😉

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1/2 cup peanuts, chopped

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup butter 

1/4 cup brown sugar packed

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup raisins

2 teaspoons chia seeds (optional)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons semi sweet chocolate chips 

Directions:

Heat oven to 375°F

Line cookie sheet with tinfoil and spray with cooking spray.

Add oats and peanuts to sheet and bake around 5 minutes until just toasted.

Transfer to a large bowl.

Heat butter, honey, sugar, salt, and vanilla in saucepan, until butter is melted, and sugar is dissolved. 

Pour butter mixture into the bowl with the oats and nuts, stir to combine.

Let cool for a few minutes, and add raisins, 1/4 cup chocolate chips, and chia seeds. Stir until well mixed. 

Pour mixture onto baking sheet. Use spatula to press down and form a block. Spread the remaining chocolate chips on top, and continue pressing firmly for a few minutes.

Place sheet in refrigerator for at least one hour.

Remove granola block from tinfoil, and cut into bars.

I store mine in the fridge, but they’d be fine at room temperature.

Enjoy!🙂