Healthy Chewy Granola Bars..Step by Step Recipe!!

Granola is one of the most healthiest options for breakfast or evening snack and can also be also had as a healthy dessert.But it is difficult to eat them on the go and hence granola bars are always a better option.I love munching granola bars for my morning or evening snack as they are easy to carry and are very healthy and filling too.

Me and my husband both love dry fruits very much and hence I added them abundantly in my granola bars,you can add the dry fruit/nuts of your choice.I can say it is always better to make these granola bars at home instead of buying those preservative and sugar loaded ready made bars.It might hardly take some extra time but the end product is very healthy and yummy bar and more importantly it is customized by you according to your preferences.

I had bookmarked this recipe from Veggie-Wiz as they looked damn tempting with all my favorite ingredients and adapted the process of stove top method and few measurements from Sharmi's space.This recipe is a cross in between both the recipes and is my favorite now with the ingredients of my choice,so do try them out with your additions and choices.

Ingredients:
(Yields around 18 big bars)

2 cups quick cooking Oats
1/2 cup cornflakes cereal
1 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon powder
3 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tbsp water

dry fruits and nuts:(This comes around 1-1/4 cup)
12-15 almonds,finely chopped
12-15 walnuts,finely chopped
10-12 pistachios,finely chopped
2-3 tbsp raisins
2-3 tbsp dried cranberries
5-6 seedless Arab dates,finely chopped
3-4 dried figs/anjeer,finely chopped
1 tbsp watermelon seeds(you can even use pumpkin or sunflower seeds)
2 tbsp flax seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds

Method:

• Dry roast oats and cornflakes separately until a nice aroma comes and oats starts slightly browning up,take care not to burn them while frying.Keep them aside.

• Now dry roast flax seeds until they pop and followed by sesame seeds and add them to the oats mixture.

• Add almonds,walnuts and pistachios to the pan and roast them until they are slight crisp and then add watermelon seeds,chopped dates,figs,raisins,cranberries and fry them for a minute and add them to the oats mixture.

• Mix everything well and keep the vessel aside.

• Heat the same pan and add butter and let it melt.Now add brown sugar to it and let ir caramelize a bit and bubbles form.

• Add water,honey,peanut butter and cinnamon powder and heat the mixture until it starts bubbling up.
• Add vanilla essence and give a quick stir.
• Now add the roasted oats, cornflakes,nuts and dry fruit mixture and mix well until the honey mixture is coated uniformly all over the oats cornflakes mixture.Let it cook for 2 mins and keep stirring it in between.

• Divide the mixture into two portions and transfer the mixture on to a baking sheet or a butter paper and spread it using a spoon or a wooden ladle to 1/2 inch thickness.
• Straighten the edges with the help of a spatula into a square or rectangle and let it cool a bit.Smoother the top portion using hands or a butter paper and gently make it uniform.

• Allow them to cool for 5-10 mins and then cut them into bars.If it does not hold shape just press the sides with hands to form the clean edges.
  

• Arrange them on a aluminum foil on a baking tray and bake in preheated oven @ 160 degrees for 4-5 mins.This step is completely optional and you can avoid it if you do not have oven.I do this way which helps in holding its shape and can be stored for longer.Let them cool completely for 30 mins.
  
• Wrap them in aluminum foil and store them in airtight container.

Have them as a morning or evening snack with a cup of milk/tea/coffee.

Notes:

• I suggest you to wrap them in aluminum foil so that it would be easy to pack for snacks box and it does not stick to your hand.
• The addition of nuts and dry fruits are completely left to your choice.Add them according to your choice.
• I baked them for extra 3-4 mins and that process is completely optional but I felt they tasted better in that way and also stays crispy and chewy for long.You can completely avoid that step if you do not have oven.
• You can even halve the recipe and make if you are trying for the first time.
• These can be stored easily up to 15-20 days and I really wonder that they would last that long.
  

Last weekend was my Dad's Birthday and also today is our blogger friend Lubna's B'day and I would like to wish them through this post specially.
My dear wonderful 'Dad' and my dear friend Lubna,'Many Many Happy Returns of the Day,N'joy ur day!!'