So, not only the Holidays are fast approaching. The school year is too. The kids actually start next week and quite frankly, we’re not ready for it. At all.
We’ve been putting off going out to buy school supplies for weeks. I think we hid the list the day we got it and have been ignoring it ever since… Which means by now the stores will be almost out of everything, and the trip is going to be even more dreadful… But now, we have no choice. No more procrastinating! Time to suck it up and do it.
But looking at the bright side, we’re not ALL that unprepared for school! When it comes to food, we’re on top of the game… as expected. Starting with these granola bars.
You’ll be amazed how easy they are to make! And the best part, you can “customize” them, by adding your favorite ingredients. We love this Goji berry and pistachio combination. We also love dark chocolate, walnuts and dried cranberries. And how about pumpkin seeds, raisins and almonds? The combinations are endless!
So go ahead, have fun with it! And if you would like to share your creations with us, we’re all ears 🙂
Enjoy!
- 2 cups oats
- ¼ cup shelled salted pistachios, chopped
- 3 tbsp flax seeds
- ⅓ cup honey organic or agave nectar (here we used Wholesome Sweeteners)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2½ tbsp almond butter
- ¼ cup dried Goji berries (here we used Navitas )
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange oats in a single layer and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, keeping an eye so they don't burn. Set aside to cool
- Transfer oats to a large bowl. Add chopped pistachios and flax seeds and toss well
- In a small sauce pan, combine honey or agave with vanilla extract and coconut oil. Cook over medium low hear, stirring constantly until the coconut oil has melted. Whisk in almond butter and and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until well incorporated.
- Remove from heat and add Goji berries. Pour mixture over oats and mix well with a wooden spoon, making sure they are well coated
- Coat a 11inx7in non stick baking pan with cooking spray. Transfer oat mixture evenly, pressing it well into the pan (the more you press it, the better the bars will stick together!). Refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours), remove from pan and cut into bars. Makes about 12 bars (depending on the size you want them). Keep the bars refrigerated
I am obsessed with granola bars but I hate buying them but I have never found a good recipe. These look and taste amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Thank you Raquel, be creative and try new combinations!
This delicious snack is delightfully chewy and gives you a burst of energy for the day’s adventure!
Thank you Danielle. We are so glad you liked them. Stop by to say goodbye and good luck in college!
A lot of schools have already started in the US (though many also start in September). It’s crazy how early some start here! Anyway, terrific looking granola bars. I’ll take pistachio in anything! Good stuff – thanks.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted…The Hula Hula Cocktail
Thank you. We though the end of August was way to early to start school, you start really early. We will take pistachio on anything as well.
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Coconut Water Limeade & Kiwi Ice Pops
Oh I can’t wait until I can make granola bars for little Lucy…but I definitely don’t want to think about her going to school yet! These look so good. Full of healthy ingredients that we all need more of in our life. Thank you for sharing!
Let us know if little Lucy likes them!
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…“Childhood Memories” Salad With Za’atar Croutons & Tangy Tahini Dressing
I love this recipe. I’ll be making it soon!
Sina @ thekosherspoon recently posted…Apple, Kohlrabi & Pomegranate Endive Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing
Great Thank you so much!
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Apples & Honey Semolina Cake
So healthy and looks fantastic! Full of so many wonderful ingredients!
We love heathy granola bars, it makes us feel better about eating something sweet!
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Yellow & Green Zucchini “Spaghetti” With Basil & Pine Nuts
These are so fun! I love all those colors.
Melinda (Kitchen Tested) recently posted…Maple Roasted Fig and Lemon Biscuits
Thank you Melinda! Maple Roasted fig and lemon biscuits, those we have to try!
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…“Childhood Memories” Salad With Za’atar Croutons & Tangy Tahini Dressing
Estas barritas me vendrán de miedo cuando empiece el instituto. Qué sanas y qué pinta más buena que tienen 🙂 ¡Gracias por compartir la receta!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs recently posted…Peach Galette / Galette de Melocotones
Muchas gracias. Esperamos que te gusten.
Love goji berries very much,Thank you for your very good idea to use it!
By the way,we also offer goji berrry in Ningxia,China.For you need just contact us!
thanks
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Savory Carrot Ginger Granita With Tangy Cucumber Topping
These granola bars look amazing and so colorful!
Hindy recently posted…Red Miso Braised Baby Bok Choy
We figured the more colorful they are the healthy they will be
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Vegan Chocolate Stout Cupcakes With Whiskey-Chocolate Filling & Homemade Irish Cream Frosting
I NEED to make these for work. They look so healthy, filling and delicious!
Whitney @ Jewhungry recently posted…Mommy Blogs and Meatballs: A Blogdentity Crisis
We think they are the perfect afternoon snack to keep us going the rest of the day!
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Yellow & Green Zucchini “Spaghetti” With Basil & Pine Nuts
Wow, you can almost grab these right out of the computer page. Fabulous. And healthy. Sending this to my daughter — she has an app/website dedicated to packing healthy lunches for kids (www.lalalunchbox.com)
WOW! sounds like a great app. I will have to downloaded and let my sun pick his healthy lunches!
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Vegan Chocolate Stout Cupcakes With Whiskey-Chocolate Filling & Homemade Irish Cream Frosting
Thanks! Let me know how he enjoys it! Today my breakfast app – LaLa Breakfast is free on iTunes – hope you enjoy that too! http://bit.ly/lalabreakfast
The colour is incredible! I go through a muesli bar making stage every year and I totally want to go through it right now with these bars.
Cass @foodmyfriend recently posted…Hummus – Hommus – Hommous?
Great, we are so glad you like them. Please let us know what you think when you make them.
I love the idea of customizing this snack, would be perfect treat for after school!
Melissa {lilmisscakes} recently posted…Salted Caramel Sauce {recipe}
It is and healthy too!
These look amazing! I need to try them asap! Thanks!
Thank you so much. Let us know what you think and what variation you used.
So healthy and colorful. I wonder if my kids would eat these!
Chanie@BusyInBrooklyn recently posted…Apple Napkins
kids are attracted to colors, so why not try some healthy natural colors. Our kids loved these bars. Let us know if you end up making them.
Happy to say that the people at honest cooking also liked these granola bars!
http://honestcooking.com/flax-seed-granola-bars-with-pistachios-and-goji-berries/
Vicky & Ruth recently posted…Coconut Water Limeade & Kiwi Ice Pops
These look amazing. I love finding new snack bar recipes. I like how you used goji berries too. So healthy and delish.
melissa @ my whole food life recently posted…Apple Spiced Refrigerator Jam
Thank you very much Melissa
Great recipe. I substituted pepitas for the pistachios and sun butter for the almond butter since my kids’ school is nut-free. Plus added chocolate chips. Came out perfectly.
Great changes, that’s what makes this granola recipe so great it can be customized!
Made these for a friend as a guilt-free, ‘healthy alternative’, and now he’s hooked. Can’t wait to try different combinations. Thank you for the recipe (we’re even enjoying it in sunny Cape Town, South Africa)!
So happy that our recipes traveled as far as South Africa. So glad that your friend liked them. Please share with us your different combinations.