Chewy Granola Bars

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup oat flour, (blend rolled oats in a blender or food processor until powdery to make oat flour) or substitute 1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350° F, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut. Freezes well.

*****
I have been searching for months for a great granola bar recipe. Something chewy in the middle but with a little crunch. One that wouldn’t be rock solid and one that wouldn’t crumble after taking the first bite. Something that my husband would agree to as a suitable replacement for the current packaged yucky ones he packs for a lunch. After a few months of tinkering with several recipes I finally found one that we both enjoy. The egg in the recipe is unique which seems to hold everything together and gives the bar the chewiness I’ve been looking for. They have been a perfect snack and store great in the freezer- a new staple in our home.

It’s not exceptionally healthy but in every aspect it’s healthier than the packaged ones I was looking to replace- yeah! Yield 20 bars (44 grams each). 189 calories, 3 grams protein, 8.4 grams fat.

Powered eggs work well in this recipe. Recipe adapted from www.allRecipes.com.