Peanut Butter & Chocolate Snack Bars

I love Chewy bars. They are such an easy snack when you don’t have time for anything else. Plus they come in so many amazing flavors (s’more flavored granola? how could that be bad?). They are pretty darn healthy but they do contain some less than desirable ingredients (despite recently changing their recipe to avoid high fructose corn syrup), and the organic versions are pretty pricey so yet again I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands. I’m trying this flavor first because, as I’ve mentioned before, Jason LOVES peanut butter and chocolate. And I obviously love it too.

Which would you prefer to eat:

Quaker Chewy Bar- rolled oats, brown sugar, rice flour, sugar, salt, malted barley extract, rolled wheat, soybean oil, dried coconut, wheat flour, sodium bicarbonate, soy lecithin, caramel color, nonfat dry milk, corn syrup, brown rice, salt, peanuts, palm oil, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, vanilla extract, invert sugar, palm kernel, partially defatted peanut flour, lactose, dry whey, dextrose, corn syrup solids, vanillin (artificial flavor), glycerin, calcium carbonate, sorbitol, water, natural and artificial flavors, BHT (preservative), and citric acid

or

homemade bar- rolled oats, brown sugar, organic sugar, pure honey, peanuts, organic brown rice, wheat germ, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla, and coconut oil

Considering that this took me five minutes and less money, I like the second one. Here’s the simple recipe:

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Snack Bars (inspired by this Food Network recipe)

• 2 1/2 c. rolled oats
• 1 1/2 c. brown rice cereal
• 1/4 c. toasted wheat germ
• 1/3 c. honey
• 1 T. organic sugar
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. homemade peanut butter
• 3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 T. coconut oil
• 1 t. vanilla extract

-Place honey, sugars, peanut butter, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.

-Cook until completely melted, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

-Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Stir to combine and set mixture aside to cool.

-Meanwhile, stir together the rolled oats, wheat germ, rice cereal, and chocolate chips together in a large bowl.

-Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl and gently mix with a spatula to combine well. Make sure all of the dry ingredients are moistened. Empty bowl onto a greased cookie sheet.

-Using your hands or a piece of parchment paper, firmly pack down the mixture and square off the edges.

– Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator to cool for about 30 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut into desired shapes.

-Seperate and enjoy! Makes 14 bars. To store, individually wrap in plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

These were so tasty for a first try, the blend of grains actually gives it an amazing flavor. And I was pleasantly surprised to see that the sugar and chocolate can definitely be reduced and it would be plenty sweet enough.

Thanks for reading!