Honey-Oat Crunchy Granola Bars

While grocery shopping this week, I picked up a box of Nature Valley Oats 'n' Honey granola bars. After a minute I started thinking, "Why am I buying these when we have all the ingredients in our cupboards to make them at home?" We've gotten so used to the convenience of just picking up snacks again that I forget how easy (& cheaper!) it is if I just decide not to be too busy or lazy to make them myself. Maybe that should be part my New Year's resolution. Hmm.

We have a couple of granola bar recipes posted on our blog already... Quick & Easy No-Bake Granola Bars, and Toasted Coconut & Berry Granola Bars. Both are super delicious, but they are also soft & chewy. (Not that that is a bad thing!) It's just that sometimes I want my granola bars crunchy. These bars may not taste just like the true Nature Valley granola bars, but they are slightly sweet with just enough crunch to satisfy my cravings for the originals. :)

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. old fashioned oats

2 Tbsp. rice crispies

3 Tbsp. cornmeal powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/3 c. honey

2 1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

Directions

 Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. 

Line a 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine oats, rice crispies, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda.

In a separate dish, heat honey and coconut oil in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.

Whisk to blend.

Add vanilla and brown sugar to the honey & oil.

Pour over oat mixture and stir until well combined.

Dump into prepared baking dish and press into pan.

Bake 20-30 minutes or until the bars are nice and golden.

While bars are still hot, press them down again, being careful not to burn yourself.

Let them cool about 10-20 minutes, then cut into bars. 

Remove from the pan and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

(Directions with Photos)

 Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. 

Line a 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine oats, rice crispies, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda.

In a separate dish, heat honey and coconut oil in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.

Whisk to blend.

Add vanilla and brown sugar to the honey & oil.

Pour over oat mixture and stir until well combined.

Dump into prepared baking dish and press into pan.

Bake 20-30 minutes or until the bars are nice and golden.

While bars are still hot, press them down again, being careful not to burn yourself.

Let them cool about 10-20 minutes, then cut into bars. 

Remove from the pan and let cool completely on a cooling rack.

{These bars can get pretty crumbly around the edges sometimes. No worries. Just gather up the cooled "crumbs" and store them in an airtight container. They are perfect for sprinkling over crockpot yogurt & fresh or frozen berries!}