Chocolate Chip Granola Bars – Yummy Toddler Meals

With a simple technique, accessible pantry elements, and the yummiest taste, these Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are a snack time staple. Plus: They retailer properly for weeks for snacks to get pleasure from at dwelling or at college.

I labored on this recipe for weeks in an try and make a granola bar that is stuffed with simple to seek out elements, doesn’t depend on peanut butter or eggs to carry collectively (for allergy functions and likewise to make sure they’re school-safe for peanut-free colleges). I lastly discovered an excellent combination that’s simple to make, simple to bake, makes use of reasonably priced elements, and shops so properly. And it’s simply SO yummy!

This Chocolate Chip Granola Bar recipe is as low in added sugar as I might make it whereas nonetheless delivering on taste. Plus, the bars could be saved within the fridge for weeks.

You additionally don’t want to fret concerning the bars dropping their form at room temperature, so they could be a nice after-school snack or preschool snack. And you may also serve them as a part of a wholesome breakfast for youths, a toddler lunch concept, or a lunchbox concept for youths in elementary college.

(You might also like Do-it-yourself Granola Bars, Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, Fig Bars, and Banana Oatmeal Bars.)

Elements You Want

Right here’s a take a look at the elements you have to have available to make Chocolate Chip Granola Bars so what to choose up from the shop or have prepared.

• Oats: I exploit common rolled oats on this recipe. They’re typically referred to as “old style oats.” You may as well use gluten-free rolled oats if wanted to make this granola bar recipe gluten-free.
• Complete wheat flour: A little bit flour helps the batter maintain collectively properly, and it helps the bars be mushy and simple to chew.
• Brown sugar: I add brown sugar to assist within the texture and sweetness.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds add diet to the batter and assist it bind collectively (with out eggs).
• Banana: A ripe banana provides to the pure sweetness of the bars, however it doesn’t make them style overtly banana, promise!
• Oil: I exploit impartial oil like canola or avocado oil right here, although you may also use melted coconut oil.
• Honey: Honey provides sweetness and likewise contributes to the batter baking up and holding the bar form simply.
• Mini chocolate chips: I desire to make use of mini chocolate chips right here to make the chocolate chip granola bars resemble retailer purchased bars. You need to use full dimension chocolate chips, although it’s possible you’ll need to chop them up.

Step-by-Step Directions

Right here’s a preview of the best way to make Chocolate Chip Granola Bars so what to anticipate from the method. Scroll right down to the tip of this publish for the complete data, together with the quantities and the timing.

Step 1. Add the dry elements to a medium bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 2. Mash the banana so it’s clean.

Step 3. Add the remaining elements. Stir very properly.

Step 4. Press the combination into the ready pan and bake.

Learn how to Retailer

Retailer granola bars in an hermetic container or storage bag for as much as 2 weeks. I desire to retailer them within the fridge. You’ll be able to wrap every bar in plastic wrap if desired.

You may as well freeze the bars in a freezer bag with as a lot air eliminated as attainable. I typically do that with half of the batch to make sure the entire batch stays recent for so long as it takes us to eat them.

Greatest Suggestions for Success

I’d love to listen to your suggestions on this publish, so please charge and remark beneath!

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• Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Coat an 8×8-inch pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper. (The paper helps make the bars be simple to carry out and slice after baking, with out scratching your pan.)
• Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and chia seeds to a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
• Add the mashed banana, oil, honey, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Stir very properly to evenly mix the moist and the dry elements.

• Press the combination into the ready pan and bake for 20 minutes.

• Cowl pan with foil and bake for a further 10 minutes. (The foil prevents the perimeters from over browning.)

• Take away pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to chill fully.

• As soon as cooled, use the paper to carry the bars out of the pan onto a slicing board. Slice into rectangles or squares.

• Retailer granola bars in an hermetic container or storage bag for as much as 2 weeks. I desire to retailer them within the fridge.
• You’ll be able to wrap every bar in plastic wrap if desired.
• Use raisins instead of the chocolate chips.
• Use an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix instead of the entire wheat flour.
• Word concerning the sugar: I made this recipe time and again trying to get the suitable texture and taste, and I attempted utilizing much less sugar—they had been too bland. If you wish to decrease the honey barely to ⅓ cup, you’re welcome to do this. The quantities on this recipe are those I settled on as resulting in the very best outcomes.

Serving: 1 bar, Energy: 215kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 3g, Fats: 10g, Saturated Fats: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g, Monounsaturated Fats: 5g, Trans Fats: 0.04g, Ldl cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 78mg, Potassium: 113mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 14IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg