Blueberry Peanut Butter Granola Bars

These granola bars are so good and simple to make.  I first made my own home made granola bars from a recipe in Parents magazine, and when I realized how easy it was and how much I was overpaying at the store (!) I started to figure out my own combinations.  This is my favorite one by far – it doesn’t last long around here. Read on for the easy recipe.

These granola bars are sweetened and held together with honey, coconut oil, and some help from ground flax meal.

Flatten them to your desired thickness.  Thicker bars will be chewier and thinner bars crunchier.  You could also simply crumble this to make granola to mix in with yogurt or eat as cereal.

In other news, we have been having ridiculously beautiful weather around here lately.  The mornings are down-right chilly and the afternoons warm enough for tees and sometimes tanks.  I am soaking this up.

On my afternoons and one day off in the week, we have been hitting up parks.  This fantastic park is in Urbandale.  While I couldn’t get my cautious toddler to walk out on this rope contraption, I sure loved it!

I’ve been getting out on walks sans children – just me and the dog briskly walking down the block is one of the most gloriously quiet moments of solitude I have ever experienced.  It is downright religious, I am not joking y’all.  Endorphins are a wonderful thing.

And of course, I am enjoying the lovely weather with these two cuties.  Hard to believe that Quinton is already almost 3 months!

Blueberry Peanut Butter Granola Bars

1. In a large bowl, combine: 4 cups oats, 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 1/4 cup peanut butter powder, 1/2 cup dried blueberries, and 1 tablespoon ground flax meal.  

2. In a medium bowl combine: 1/2 cup honey, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/2 cup melted coconut oil.  Combine liquids with oat mixture and stir until well combined.

3.  Pour mixture into 9 x 13″ rimmed baking sheet, lined with parchment paper.  Press into rectangle that is about 1 inch thick.  Bake at 325°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  When done, remove from oven, allow to cool, and slice into bars.  Makes about 15 – 20 bars.