Back to school granola bars

Sending kids off to school for another year brings simultaneous anxiety and excitement. As a mom, you make sure your kids wake up on the first day of school with bags packed full of all the right supplies, new white sneakers laced up tight, and their favorite outfit washed and ready to go. With so much to think about that first morning, and each consecutive school morning on the way, let these healthy bake-ahead snacks fill their lunchboxes without consuming the last free moments of your morning routine.

Kid friendly snacks

Pieces of crisped oats, smooth milk chocolate, and a burst of vanilla combine to define kid-friendly finger food. As a kid, my pantry was stocked with chocolate chip bars on the bottom shelf for easy access. Whether they served as a quick breakfast on the bus, a snack before soccer practice, or an after dinner nibble, granola bars satisfied my taste buds and my moms desire to provide healthy options in our house.

This recipe brings me back to the days of running to the bus stop, playing outside for hours, and dreading my moms persistent pleas to eat healthy. Little did I know that the chocolaty snacks I snuck from the bottom pantry shelf possessed the healthy ingredients my mom preached about. These sneaky, healthy, delicious snacks still have their spot in my cabinet today. Making them from scratch not only adds an increased layer of natural nutrition, it also adds that homemade taste that store bought simply cannot match.

Make these granola bars before the first day of school and watch your kids light up as they head out the front door knowing the wrapped up treat awaiting them in their lunchbox.

Homemade Granola Bars

A similar version of this recipe can be found at allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins, chocolate chips and salt.
3. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands.
4. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges.
6. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 161
• Total Fat: 5.5g
• Cholesterol: 9mg

What types of healthy snacks do you pack in your kids lunchbag?

Mom Central