Supplies have been purchased, labelled and ready to go. Clothing has been bought and washed. I even dug out the lunch bags from the back of the cupboard. It’s back to school season!
This year marks the first that all 3 of my children will be in school all day. In other words, it’s the first time I get ‘a days break’ from them in 10 years. 10 years!
Can you tell I’m excited?
I’m so excited, I even made my own Easy Homemade Granola Bars, people! Oh yeah, I’ve been busy making and freezing all kinds of lunches and snacks, muffins too. I’m THAT excited.
Thing is, these Homemade Granola Bars are insanely easy and so good. Better than any I’d ever tasted. One batch makes about 15 bars, and they freeze well which is perfect for sticking into that lunch box.
My plan is to make this recipe a couple times a month all year long. Yes, it’s THAT GOOD.
- 4 cups quick oats
- 1 cup rice crispy cereal
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup of honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- dash of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup of sunflower seeds
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In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oats, cereal and coconut.
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In a small saucepan over medium high heat - melt the butter. Then, add the honey, brown sugar and salt.
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Stir together and when the boil reaches all the way around the edges of the pan - stop stirring and begin timing. Leave be for boil for 2 minutes but keep an eye on it so it doesn't overflow yet stays boiling.
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After the 2 minutes, take off the heat and stir in the vanilla and cinnamon.
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Pour the butter mixture over the oats using a rubber spatula.
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Mix the ingredients together until the oat mixture is completely coated.
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Mix in the raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips and sunflower seeds.
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Drop all into a 9x9 *lightly greased* pan and press firmly with your hand until level and packed.
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Place pan in the fridge for 20 minutes then cut to desired bar size.
Packed with so many great ingredients, it has both the granola and a sweet taste that is the perfect combination. This recipe is also very versatile, meaning you can add more raisins if you wish or omit the dried cranberries if desired. Just take a look at the additions and you could very easily tweek it to your own preferred taste.
My first batch was eaten by us this last week – for breakfast, snacks and taking on-the-go when taking in the last lazy days of summer. I already have another batch in the freezer and waiting for that first day of school.
When that big first day comes, you could use baggies, plastic wrap or the snack containers in the Rubbermaid Lunchblox kit. It is more earth-friendly! All you have to remember is to cut the granola bars into sizes to fit your container.
See what I did here? I suggested a great snack recipe for school, shared a secret on some great lunch-sending containers AND saved you money on your next grocery shopping trip. It really is a wonderful time of the year, isn’t it?!
What other easy recipes to make and freeze, for sending to school?
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Those granola bars look delicious! My kids can go through granola bars like water so I need to try making my own!
These sound wonderfully delicious. I know I’d love them.
I am going to have to try this. I have always wanted to make homemade granola bars. Looks delicious!
fabulous!! i am definitely going to try making these. we buy granola bars all the time at the grocery store for hubby’s lunch but nothing is better then home made!
these look so good, going to have to make them up minus the cranberries
I have never, ever thought of making my own granola bars… and this sounds amazing… I need to check it out… Thanks so much
I’ve never made my own granola bars, but this seems so easy! I am going to give this a try and see what my family thinks. LOL – they’ve probably been missing out since we’ve only been buying store-bought granola bars and I’ve never tried to make homemade ones!
would be fun to try and make
Yours are the best homemade granola bars I’ve seen. They look outstanding, and I love the idea of knowing what’s in them.
These look great I always make muffins to send
Thanks for the recipe! I used to make brownies, cookies, and muffins and freeze them. Put them in their lunch frozen and by the time they eat them they are thawed
These sound so good. I love that you know exactly what you are eating when you make the foods yourself. Thanks for the recipe!
It’s hard to believe those are homemade, they look even better than store bought. I’ve never thought to make granola bars before, I’ll have to give it a try.
Mmm excellent recipe to try, thanks.
Yum! Everyone in our family loves granola bars!
That is actually super smart to cu them to fit the containers! Plus, I will save a lot of money making my own. Thanks for the $10 savings 🙂
I absolutely love homemade granola bars! They are the best snack ever! I need to try your recipe and see if my kids like it! It would make an awesome after school snack.
Those look really good.
I am going to have to try these. We are a big granola bar family!
This recipe looks fantastic! I make a big batch of smoothies and freeze them in the round glad containers. Take one out in the morning and it’s thawed enough to eat by lunchtime and acts as an ice pack.
These look so good!
I am going to try these! They look delish!
Those sound really nice and healthy and at least you can pronounce the ingredients in this recipe unlike store bought granola bars.
i think my kids will enjoy this thanks for sharing
Granola bars are one of our favorite grab and go snacks.
This seems like a great snack to make for the kids since they started back to school.
I need to remember how really easy it is to make these instead of always buying them. Do they go stale quickly?
This is such a great recipe to make for my daughters’ lunches. I will have to try it!
after reading the ingredients list, I really want to make these. I’d love a granola that has all of my favorite things.
Thanks. Will definitely be making these.
I love granola bars but I have never made them at home. These look great!
Congrats on your free days coming soon!! Enjoy. And thank you for sharing yet another great recipe. I don’t have little ones, but the big ones in this house will love these bars.
I am def going to be making these! But omitting the seeds. My daughter suggested instead of sunflower seeds, we use cucumber seeds! Haha! She’s so silly!
I am definitely going to make up a batch of these this weekend! They sound yummy and perfect for my kids’lunches.
I am going to try these,yum amazingly healthy snack
These look so stuffed full of yummy, hearty ingredients! I haven’t made granola bars at home before, so thanks for the recipe!
WHat a great recipe, I love home made! Thanks for sharing!
Yum! Definitely making these for my OWN lunch! 🙂
Oh wow these look amazing. I love the idea of tossing sunflower seeds in. I might have to whip these up this weekend!
i need to re-attempt granola bars. i did not press them tight enough last time and they were just a big mess!!
These look delicious! I love granola bars, and I love making my own recipes. Great!
This is a great recipe. I love granola, and I love home made recipes. This is perfect for me!
This home made granola looks delicious. Granola is one of my favorite snacks, so I’ll be making this soon.
This recipe looks yummy and versatile. Very easy to adapt. My kids aren’t going to school yet, but I liked making muffins and fruit salads to take to university.
My bother loves granola. I bet he’d love these when he’s on the road.
These look good.
These sound really good and I love that you know what you have put into them. I think the entire family would love them.
My kids are older and no longer bring lunches but this sounds like a fantastic snack to have in the house. I have been looking for a good granola bar recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, these look just like store bought brands!! I love making my own bars!
These are so much healthier than the store bought bars! I have never tried making my own but I would love to pick my own flavours!
Sounds delicious, nutritious and the best part…My girls can take them to school 🙂 Peanut free!
those look good!
Great tips and receipts 🙂
Yum, these bars sound delicious, we’ve got to try them!
Love the idea of home made granola bars. Thanks for the recipe.
These look amazing. I’m terrible with making food that can travel easily so thanks for the recipe.
Thank you so much for this recipe…I had to stop buying the packaged ones because of allergies…these are perfect!
I shall try this recipe. my kids love granola bars.
Yum!! I’ve been working on perfecting my granola bar recipe, but I think will have to give yours a try now!
Enjoy your min break! 🙂
TASTES GREAT
thanks I will try this!
What a great, cost-saving idea! Also pre-packaged food can have so many additives and extra sugar so you also know you’re getting quality!
I like this recipe and think I will make it today. I like to make it without peanut butter not just because of school policy but because it is too sweet for me.