Today I’d like to talk to you about a very important nutrition topic–one that affects each of us every day. It’s something near and dear to my heart and I can’t wait to share it with……
Not now, dear! I’m writing an important blog post! Now go and play like a nice child! I’ll be with you in a few minutes when I’m done telling my readers about the exciting topic of…….
Didn’t I just tell you to find something to do? What is so critical that you need my attention right this minute?
Ugh, no! Didn’t you just eat lunch an hour ago? Why have you been so constantly hungry ever since you’ve been home for the summer? I feel like I’m feeding you every ten minutes! Do you eat this often at school?
*Sigh…* All RIGHT. Let’s see, you already ate all the fruit in the house, and you’ve already had three bowls of cereal, and I don’t want you chowing down on unwholesome junk. How about these chewy peanut butter chocolate granola bars I made? Thankfully, they were super simple to make, and they’re nutrient-dense and not too sugary, just like a growing dinosaur needs. How does that sound?
Whew! Now where was I? It seems like there was some awesome nutrition topic I was going to write about, or maybe some great recipe? I can’t remember. With these dinosaurs home for the summer constantly needing to be fed, my blogging game just isn’t up to par. Oh, well. It’ll come to me.
Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars
(Adapted from Kristine’s Kitchen)
Ingredients:
2 c. old-fashioned oats (gluten-free, if necessary)
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/3 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. applesauce
1/4 c. honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch glass dish, or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, whole wheat flour, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together melted butter, peanut butter, applesauce, honey, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to incorporate. Mix in chocolate chips.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 25-35 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing into bars. Store in an airtight container.
Makes 12 bars.
Oh I so relate to the kids being hungry all the time! My 7 year old especially wants to snack all day! Homemade granola bars are one of my favorites. I’m so glad you enjoyed these. They sound delicious with the peanut butter!
Yep, I have a 7-year-old, too, and he’s the main “dinosaur.” Thanks again for this excellent recipe–I just made it again two days ago!