Homemade Clean Granola Bars

The thought of making my own granola bars sounded incredibly daunting before I actually tried it! I had attempted once before, but was only partly successful. After spying a recipe on Pinterest and stalking it several times over the last few weeks, I decided to give it a try and voila! Success!  If I can do it, so can you!

Homemade Clean Granola Bars

Adapted slightly from TurtleWoman

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c Rolled Oats
• 1 c Chopped Almonds
• 3/4 c Milled Flaxseed
• 1/4 c Untoasted Sesame Seeds
• 1/2 c Honey
• 1/4 c Stevia in the Raw)
• 4 Tbsp Coconut Oil, Softened
• 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract (avoid HFCS)
• 1 c Unsweetened Dried Cranberries
• 1/2 c Unsweetened Dried Shredded Coconut
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine oats, almonds, flax and sesame seeds in a large bowl. Once combined, spread on a large baking sheet (preferably with sides so you don't lose any of your mixture in the oven or on the floor - trust me... it happened!) and pop in the oven for approximately 20 minutes to toast. Stir about every 5 minutes to prevent burning.

2. In a microwave safe bowl, combine honey, stevia, coconut oil and vanilla. Microwave on high for 1 minute, remove and stir. Place bowl back in microwave for approximately 30 more seconds to help the assimilation of the stevia into the mixture. (Mixture will boil in microwave.)

3. In a large bowl, combine dried cranberries, shredded coconut, cinnamon and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.

4. Once the oat mixture is done toasting, combine with the cranberry coconut mixture.

5. Add honey mixture the dry ingredients and combine until all ingredients are wet. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT - Just keep stirring! Wooden spoons are great for this step!

6. Using your baking sheet, now lined with wax paper, gently spread the mixture evenly. Place another piece of wax paper on top so that you can press the mixture into itself, as well as level off the top.

7. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hrs to harden.

8. Using a pizza slicer, cut into 21 bars. Enjoy!

Makes 21 servings

Mets: 

• Calories - 174
• Protein - 4g
• Fat - 10g
• Carbs - 20g
• Sugars - 8g
• Sodium - 57mg

Enjoy our recipes?  Get help with your grocery shopping here.

Happy Snacking!

Four Ingredient Protein Bars

Need a grab and go breakfast on hand for when you oversleep or just don't feel like your normal eggs and oatmeal? This one is perfect! It will literally only take you a few minutes to prepare. After you are done, throw them in the freezer!

View more of our Four Ingredient Recipes here.

Four Minutes - Four Ingredients - Four Steps

Four Ingredient Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Gluten Free Quick Cooking Oats
• 1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
• 4 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1/2 cup of Water or Unsweetened Almond Milk

Directions: 

1. Line an 8"x8" Glass Baking Dish (we use Pyrex) with wax or parchment paper.
2. Mix all ingredients by hand in a medium size mixing bowl.
3. Press mixture down into dish using a spatula to flatten.
4. Freeze for approximately 30 minutes. Cut into six bars. Refrigerate.

Jamie Eason's Pumpkin Protein Bars

You've probably tried some of our other protein bar recipes (if not, you should!) but these Pumpkin Protein Bars are a great secret! These are a creation of Jamie Eason's and they are perfect for that fall snack (or really anytime during the year!).

Clean Eat Recipe :: Pumpkin Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Ideal Brown No Calorie Sweetener
• 1 4oz jar baby food applesauce
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (avoid HFCS)
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 15 oz can of raw pumpkin

----

• 2 cups gluten free oat flour
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray 9 X 13" Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.

3. Combine the first 11 ingredients & mix well.

4. Add the final 3 ingredients (4, if adding walnuts) & mix until incorporated.

5. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish & bake for 30 min.

Makes 24 squares.

Macros (without walnuts) - 1 square

• Calories: 47
• Fat: 0.7 g
• Carbs: 8 g
• Protein: 3.7 g

Macros (with walnuts) - 1 square

• Calories: 63
• Fat: 2.3 g
• Carbs: 8 g
• Protein: 4 g

He & She Tips: We highly recommend using the walnuts - we like the little "crunch" it gives! You MUST store these in the refrigerator or freezer as they will spoil because they have no preservatives!

Enjoy our recipes?  Get help with your grocery shopping here.

- Whitney

Please note that Xylitol can be toxic to animals so keep this ingredient away from your pets.

*Recipe from BodyBuilding.com.