These granola bars are kid-friendly in two senses – both to make them and to eat them – and they are chewier and have far less sugar than store-bought brands. Adults love ’em too, especially to nibble on before or after a workout! Feel free to vary the ingredients below depending what kind of nuts or dried fruit you have at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 2/3 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 and 1/2 cups raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 6 tablespoons melted Earth Balance butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons cane sugar syrup or corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/3 cup peanut butter

1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, raisins, almonds, and coconut. Set aside.
2. In a second bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vanilla, maple syrup, cane sugar syrup, and water.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, along with the peanut butter, and stir until the mixture is moist.
4. Press into a 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. If it’s sticky, place a piece of plastic wrap on top so you can easily press the mixture into an even layer.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes.

Note: Our bars came out a bit crumbly. I would add a little more liquid sweetener or water next time, for even better results!