Healthy Chewy Granola Bars

Marybeth sent some yummy treats. SO thoughtful.

My friend Marybeth gave me some YUMMY granola bars as a house warming gift a couple weeks ago. They were SO good I have made them twice since then. I love all the ingredients in them. They are made with coconut oil, which I love baking with! I have used it to make rice krispy treats, and you would never know the difference! Thanks Marybeth for such an addicting recipe! Visit her blog here for cute inspiration and great recipes.

Healthy Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1 c peanut butter (i used natural chunky)

2/3 c honey

1/2 c coconut oil

2 c oats

2 c total of coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and flax seed (or make it your own!)

Chocolate Chips or Chopped Dark Chocolate

Directions:

In a medium size pan melt together the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil.

Remove from the heat and add in the nuts, oats and coconut.

Place in a 8 x 11 pan (or something similar) and smooth down the top. Sprinkle with coconut and chocolate.

Chill until set and cut into bars. Keep these stored in the fridge and ENJOY!

Low Fat Crunchy Granola

I decided to fill my cookie jar with something healthy this week. The cookies just kept calling my name, and I needed something guilt-free to snack on. I LOVE this granola recipe...it is super simple and quick to make. It is also very customizable. Just add your favorite nuts in place of the almonds. Add dried fruit, toasted coconut or dark chocolate chips after baking. Mmmmm. It is a great, crunchy topping for yogurt, salads or ice cream! This is a recipe for a small batch since I am the only one who ever eats granola around here. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

Cooking Spray

2 c rolled oats

1/3 c brown sugar

pinch of salt

2 T water

1 t vanilla

1/2 c almonds, or your choice of nuts

Preheat oven to 275. Lightly spray your baking pan with cooking spray.

Combine the oats and nuts in a large bowl.

Microwave your brown sugar, water and salt in a microwave safe bowl for one minute. Stir in the vanilla. Pour on top of the oat mixture and stir until the oats are covered.

Pour onto the baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.

"Healthier" Pumpkin Cookies

Thank goodness the pumpkin shortage is over....what would I do with myself without pumpkin puree??? I adapted this cookie recipe, to be a little healthier, without compromising the taste. I love them....very soft and cake-like. Enjoy!

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

1 1/4 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper, set aside. Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together in a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until smooth and lightened in color. Next, mix in the oil,

pumpkin and vanilla until well combined. Mix in the flour to incorporate. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. (If you want flatter cookies, flatten the tops a little bit with a spatula sprayed with cooking spray) Bake until tops feel firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 13 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Peanut Butter-Banana Oatmeal Bars

YUM!

A picture of what the puffed rice looks like...

Need a healthier snack option? Try these PB/Banana Oatmeal Bars. They are yummy and slimmed down as much as possible. I froze most of these bars (since I am the only one in the house that will eat a "healthy" dessert. I enjoyed a piece for breakfast this morning with my pumpkin spice coffee!

Peanut Butter-Banana Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup puffed wheat or rice
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup finely mashed banana
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 large egg whites
2 tablespoons dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with foil; grease foil.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, oats, puffed wheat and almonds until combined.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together banana, brown sugar, honey, peanut butter and egg whites until combined; whisk dry ingredients into wet, until combined.

Spread batter evenly into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Remove pan from oven and cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.

Makes 12 bars

***I posted a picture of an example bag of puffed rice. I usually find it in the gluten-free, health section, or by the big bags of cereal in Walmart. Rice Krispies would probably taste just great in this recipe!