As the school year approaches, the importance of being able to assemble quick and easy snacks becomes increasingly important. Whether the snacks are there to eat during the day, or to help transition from school, to after school activities to tide someone over till dinner, having healthy snacks can keep kids (and adults) in a better mood, keep them energized throughout the day, and give them nutrients throughout the day. Protein and snack bars are a great choice, but they can be expensive, can contain ingredients you may not want in the house, or the wrapper can pile up in your car in the chaos. Homemade snack bars can be a healthy way to ensure you have snacks that are tailored to your family’s taste and needs, and share in activity time once a week when you make them.
To make snack bars, all you need is a large pan, and some of them can be made as no-bake recipes.
Ingredients you can buy in bulk to reduce costs:
-oats
-chocolate chips
-flour
-dried fruit
-peanut butter
-peanut butter
-maple syrup
-sugar or sugar substitute (coconut sugar is a great option)
-nuts
-honey (in some locations)
-butter
To make:
-For added flavor, toast your nuts and oats in a toaster oven or at 350 degrees farenheit in your oven for 8-10 minutes. This step is skippable.
-Boil honey or maple syrup, butter, and the sugar or sugar substitute for one minute
-mix all the ingredients you want to use in a bowl
-flatten in a pan, and refrigerate
-cut and pack in bags or in cling wrap
Have a fruit fiend in your family? Try these granola recipes!
Berry Burst: dried blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, fresh pomegranate seeds (for the burst!), almonds
Tropical Chill: dried pineapple, mango, oranges, white chocolate chips, pistachios and coconut flakes
Cranberry Crunch: dried cranberries, cashew nuts, peanuts, diced apples, cinnamon
Chocolate crazy? We have ideas for that too.
Cocoa Crazy: chocolate chips, almonds, dried cherries, marshmallows (optional)
Peanut-butter chocolate time: Chocolate chips, peanut butter, dried blueberries, cashews
Dessert bar: chocolate chip variety chips (white, dark, milk chocolate), dried strawberries, coconut flakes, almonds
Finally, here’s some to celebrate the changing seasons.
Fall: dried apples, dried cranberries, cinnamon, almonds, cloves
Winter: dried cherries, white chocolate, cashews, mint flakes
Spring: dried raspberries, pistachios, lemon juice, chocolate chips
Summer: peanut butter, almonds, dried blueberries, dried blackberries
Of course, mixing and matching is encouraged. What are your favorite snack bar recipes?
By: Bethany Verrett