These wholegrain honey-sweetened cranberry chewy granola bars are done in 30 minutes and don’t need to be baked! Just stir, press, chill, and cut.
Chewy granola bar recipe video
Guys, I LOVE MAKING THESE VIDEOS! The tulip-man and I made a cooking video last weekend and, well, we obsessed over every aspect of it; getting the shots, editing it, sharing it, doing everything to give our little video baby a shot at internet stardom.
But I was thinking there was no way I’d be able to handle shooting a video by myself. I mean there’s the filming and hand modeling and confident cutting (which, after the incident, I’m still lacking), not to mention actually cooking something.
But I had a little oomph in me yesterday so I went for it anyways. And I’m attributing that little oomph to the massive foodie inspiration I got the previous night at dinner.
Not just any dinner. My first time at a Michelin Star restaurant! We spent the night dining on 10 decadent courses at Niven, where they have an 80/20 concept. 80% vegetables, 20% meat and fish. Needless to say, they did some amazing things with vegetables. I’ll probably just do a whole post about it, seeing as how I did make the possibly-obnoxious point of photographing each course.
So yea, the next day I was super inspired. And maybe chocolate-dipped chewy granola bars won’t make the menu of Michelin Star restaurants anytime soon, but they’re delicious all the same.
These chewy granola bars nut-free, because I’m allergic and who needs nuts anyways?! They’re oven-free, because ain’t nobody got time for that. They’ve got bulgur, because that’s our spotlight ingredient this week. And they’re packed with cranberries and dark chocolate (no reasoning necessary there).
Ingredients
- 1 cup flake cereal 50 g, like Special K, can also use rice puffs
- ¾ cup rolled oats 70 g
- ⅔ cup packed dried cranberries 125 g
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes 30 g
- ⅓ cup fine/medium grind bulgur 75 g, can also use quinoa
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds 30 g, pepitas
- ¼ cup sunflower seed kernels 30 g
- ½ cup honey 118 mL
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 bar dark chocolate 200 g
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cereal, oats, cranberries, coconut flakes, bulgur, and seeds.
- Combine honey and vanilla in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium/high heat. Boil, stirring frequently for 5 minutes.
- Quickly stir hot honey into dry ingredients until well incorporated (you may need to use your hands!)
- Line an 11×7 inch (28×17 cm) rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (or whatever sized dish you have!) Press granola mixture into pan, using the bottom of a clean cup to really pack it tightly. Set in refrigerator or freezer for 10 to 20 minutes to cool and harden.
- Melt chocolate in microwave or using the double boiler method (I recommend the double boiler, less likely to burn it!*)
- Get your granola and cut it into 8 (pretty big) to 12 (smaller) rectangles.
- Transfer chocolate to a shallow dish or plate. Dip the granola bars so that the top is covered with chocolate and the bottom is naked. Set on parchment paper and refrigerate a few minutes to harden.
Tips & Tricks
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge.
- You can also break some into chunks to sprinkle over breakfast cereal or yogurt.
- *Double boiler method: Bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Place chocolate in a large metal or glass bowl, and set bowl over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir constantly until chocolate is melted (about 3 minutes).
Lucy says
My son’s school is nut-free, so I am always looking for recipes like this! These granola bars would make a perfect on-the-go breakfast for him. Yum!
Sarah says
Oh perfect! I was always so hesitant of granola as a kid because so much of it is loaded with peanuts. I figured someone out there might appreciate a nut-free version as well. Happy to help! 🙂
jacqueline | i sugar coat it! says
Cute video and these bars are perfect little on-the-go snacks!
Sarah says
Thanks, Jacqueline! 🙂
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
I loooved your first video and this one is great too! I need to learn from you : )) I need to start making videos but am really dragging my feet (well have made two, dragging my feet on the editing bit). These sound delicious though! And your meal at the Michelin restaurant sounds like a blast! Pinning and yumming : )
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
I would eat these for breakfast everyday!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
I LOVE the video!! I’m realizing how messy my videos are 😀 hahaha!
Plus Chocolate dipped granola bars are my favourite snack… I haven’t made it in YEARS! I love all the yummy stuff you add to it – definitely going to try it out!
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
These granola bars look amazing! The addition of the dark chocolate completes it! Definetly better than store bought!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Bethany! Doesn’t dark chocolate complete anything? 😉
Second Nature Snacks says
Love the combination of cereal and rolled oats! The cereal must give these a great crunch. We can’t wait to try!
Sarah says
It sure does! Also helps to make them a bit less dense than it would be with oats alone 🙂
L says
Hi, what could I replace the coconut flakes with? I can’t eat coconut or nuts.
Sarah says
I would just replace it with a bit more cereal and oats (1/4 cup of each). Enjoy! 😀