The Anatomy of a Granola Bar

Let's face it. We all have our preferences. Thankfully, most of us are drawn to the humble granola bar but mistakenly pay anywhere from $1-4 a whack to curb our hunger when grabbing it on the go at our local grocery or convenience store. This might be okay once in a blue moon to do, but to restore your faith in the simplicity of making a dozen of these delicious treats at home, let's examine just what goes into your typical granola bar and see how far your dollar can stretch so you can spend it on something more ridiculous like paying for bottled water.

The things that go into granola can seem pricey- why am I paying $8 for a bag of dried fruit? Well, it goes a long way in granola and buying at the "bulk section" of your store can actually save you money in the long run. The variety is endless in this situation so sit back and enjoy.

What the heck goes into a granola bar? It's 3 elements really:

• Dry 
• Semi-dry
• Wet 

These mix together and bond to from your snack or replacement lunch when you have been especially careless. It's magical. 

What can I use for dry, semi-dry and wet ingredients? 

1. Dry: Nuts or Seeds- Cashews, almonds, macadamia, peptia, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, brazil nuts, peanuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, hazelnuts etc.                                        Also Grains- Amaranth, quinoa, oats, ground kasha, hemp, bran flakes, corn flakes or things like these. 
2. Semi-dry : Dried fruits- Apricots, apples, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, goji berries, figs, dates, prunes, coconut flakes, cherries, mango, strawberries, pineapple, pears, etc.(These are not fresh fruits- please!                                                                                                                   Also Chocolates or Spices*- Chocolate chunks or chips, ginger fresh- crystallized or dry, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt etc.                                                                                                              *(and yes, I realize spices are dry but they will stay in this "spot") 
3. Wet: Fats- Butter, coconut oil or other fat                                                                                        Also Sweet- Maple syrup, brown rice syrup, jam, jelly, honey or a combine of any syrup-like sweet that you enjoy. 

Keeping this pantry of ingredients in mind and substituting ANY of them with the following "guide" for making granola bars will help bring you success in your quest for making granola bars. Also, if you hate chocolate or cinnamon or dried raisins- just substitute for another "semi-dry" thing, that is the beauty of making these yourself. 

To make YOUR FAVORITE granola bars you will need: 

• 4 cups of dry ingredients (any combo will do in nearly any shape- you may have to chop nuts)
• 3/4 cup sweet syrup + 2 tablespoons fat (= wet ingredients)
• 1 1/2- 2 cups semi-dry ingredients 
• a dash of salt or vanilla (or other) extract my compliment the bars but is optional

Grease a 9x9 glass baking dash and set aside. 

If you wish to toast your dry ingredients for depth of flavor preheat the oven to 350. If not, preheat the oven to 300. 

If you choose to toast the dry ingredients- place them into a preheated oven on a flat cookie sheet (spread evenly) for 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan heat your wet ingredients until well blended with a whisk. 

Place semi-dry ingredients in a large bowl, add dry ingredients and pour wet ingredients over- stirring with a spatula to coat. Pour your granola mixture into the 9x9 pan and press with a spatula to spread evenly into the pan. Bake at 300 for 25 minutes. 

Let the granola cool before cutting into bars. 

You may choose to store these in Tupperware in or outside of the refrigerator. They will last longer in the cool. You may put them in separate Ziploc bags to have on hand at any time. 

This took 45 minutes out of your Monday night but repeat this every two weeks and eat one granola bar a day? You just saved yourself a little green- your welcome!