Have you ever been in a situation where you have to eat separately when dieting because other members don’t like low-calorie and spicy foods? So what is a granola bar? Why are they also a diet food but are also loved by other members, especially children? Follow today’s article to show off your skill in making granola without an oven right away!
What is a Granola bar?
Granola bars are made of comparable components to conventional granola bars, such as oats, dried fruit, nuts, honey, coconut, and chocolate chips. You can use fresh fruit in this recipe, but the preservation effect will not be as high as a dried fruit.
Granola bars are different from traditional granola. They are pressed into rectangular bars when processed, and the primary purpose is to divide servings between them, making them easier to use.
What’s more, granola bars can be baked or not at all. Instead, they need to be pressed and cooled.
Granola bars have a crunchy taste when appropriately baked, with a sweet aroma from nuts and fruits, so they are loved by many people, even children.
They are usually commercially available from many well-known brands. Their nutritional value can vary greatly depending on the brand and ingredients used. What’s more, many contain added sugars and unhealthy calories.
Therefore, the best option is still to make your granola bars at home with various healthier and more varied recipes for the whole family to enjoy while saving a lot. At this point, you already know what a granola bar is, right?
Why is granola bar so popular?
A granola bar is inexpensive and convenient.
They are cheap and provide energy conveniently when you don’t have much time for a meal. It can be carried when going to school, work, or going on a long picnic. The granola bar is the perfect substitute for breakfast or a hungry snack.
Irresistibly delicious
Their delicious taste also makes you hard to resist, especially children. The granola bar will be the perfect substitute compared to giving the kids too much candy or ice cream. A homemade granola bar is not too sweet if it will minimize chemical sugar and is the best choice.
Support weight loss
Granola bars are helpful in a weight loss plan because their dosage is predetermined. Portion sizes for each serving of pre-cut granola bars. Therefore, you only eat one bar at a time, helping to limit your calorie intake. Granola bars have about 100–300 calories, 1–10 grams of protein, and 1–7 grams of fiber per serving.
Good for health
What is the main ingredient in a granola bar? It’s oats, which contain many beta-glucan – a type of fiber that can help lower total and LDL (harmful) cholesterol levels, two risk factors for heart disease, good for health. In addition, the granola bar also has nuts that add plant proteins that are effective and beneficial in controlling blood sugar.
How to make a granola bar? Is it really possible to do it without baking?
Granola bar with chocolate chips and almonds
Material
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds, chopped
Making
- Line a tray with parchment paper (choose a tray that can fit in the fridge).
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, 1/8 cup almonds, and 1/8 cup chocolate chips. Set aside.
- Heat the honey and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat until the mixture begins to foam, stirring constantly. When bubbling for 30 seconds, remove from heat and add salt and vanilla. Stir well. Let cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour the honey mixture into the bowl of oats and mix well. The chocolate crumbs may melt a bit, which is okay as this will help the bars stick together.
- Pour the mixture into the original tray and use a flat top to gently press the mixture to combine. Top with chopped almonds and remaining chocolate chips, then press the mixture down as hard as you can with your hands. Use a piece of parchment paper to press to keep your hands from sticking. Skipping this step will result in the granola bars falling apart.
- Place the trays in the fridge for 2 hours to let them cool and harden.
- When you feel the bars are hard to touch, remove them from the tray, place them on a cutting board and cut into 10 bars and enjoy.
- Storage: They will keep for one week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to freeze, you should wrap each package individually and store it in the freezer, up to 2 months. But rest assured, this will be consumed very quickly.
Granola bar with dried apples and white chocolate
Material
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apples (thinly sliced fresh apples, bake for 0.5-2 hours)
- 2-3 tablespoons white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Making
- Line a tray with parchment paper (choose a tray that can fit in the fridge).
- In a large bowl, combine oats, cereal, 1/8 cup chopped dried apples, and 1 tablespoon chocolate chips. Set aside.
- Heat the honey and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat until the mixture begins to foam, stirring constantly. When bubbling for 30 seconds, remove from heat and stir in salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Let cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour the honey mixture into the bowl of oats and mix well. The chocolate crumbs may melt a bit, which is okay as this will help the bars stick together.
- Pour the mixture into the tray and press gently to evenly combine. Sprinkle the remaining pieces of dried apple and chocolate chips on top and press the mixture down as hard as you can with your hands. Use a piece of parchment paper to press to keep your hands from sticking. Skipping this step will result in the granola bars falling apart.
Place the trays in the fridge for 2 hours to let them cool and harden. - When you feel the bars are hard to touch, remove them from the tray, place them on a cutting board and cut into 10 bars and enjoy.
- Storage: They will keep for one week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to freeze, you should wrap each package individually and store it in the freezer, up to 2 months.
Granola bar zucchini seeds and dried cranberries
Material
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2-3 tablespoons zucchini seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Making
- Line a tray with parchment paper (choose a tray that can fit in the fridge).
- In a large bowl, combine oats, cereal, 1/8 cup dried cranberries, and 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds. Set aside.
- Heat the honey and coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat until the mixture begins to foam, stirring constantly. When bubbling for 30 seconds, remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla. Let cool for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour the honey mixture into the bowl of oats and mix well. The chocolate crumbs may melt a bit, which is okay as this will help the bars stick together.
- Pour the mixture into the tray and press gently to evenly combine. Sprinkle the remaining cranberries and pumpkin seeds on top and press the mixture down with your hands as tightly as you can. Use a piece of parchment paper to press to keep your hands from sticking. Skipping this step will result in the granola bars falling apart.
- Place the trays in the fridge for 2 hours to let them cool and harden.
- When you feel the bars are hard to touch, remove them from the tray, place them on a cutting board and cut into 10 bars and enjoy.
- Storage: They will keep for 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to freeze, you should wrap each package individually and store it in the freezer, up to 2 months.
Note when buying a processed granola bar.
Processed granola bars often contain added sugar, an artificial sweetener that can have negative health effects. Therefore, if you have to choose to buy a granola bar, it is important to check what the ingredients are in the granola bar carefully and choose products that are made primarily from fruits, nuts, and grains.
Also, look for a product with less than 10 grams of sugar, at least 5 grams of protein, and at least 3 grams of fiber to help you feel full between meals. Also, watch the calorie content and stick to bars with less than 250 calories per serving.