These Homemade Crunchy Granola Bars are as much a September back to school reflex for me as buying new pencils and buying boxes and boxes of apples. They are a wholesome reminder of a change in routine, a change in life’s rhythms. And, they smell great when they are baking too!
With seeds, dried, fruits, wholesome rolled oats and super creamy sweetened condensed milk, they are rich, nutrition-packed treats. I love them for breakfast on the run, lunch bag surprises, or as a take-along backpack snack for all our favourite outdoor activities. You can certainly add more dried fruit and leave out the pecans to make them nut-free for school lunch boxes.
Beyond the September back to school urge to bake things (and shop for school supplies even though my son graduated from university a few years ago!), where I live, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the weather is shifting and fall feels close. This is the time we hit the hiking trails in search of golden Larch trees and the tale end of warmth in the sun’s rays. These Homemade Crunchy Granola Bars will be a welcome addition to our trail snacks and keep us going through the longer treks in the Canadian Rockies.
I hope you find these Homemade Crunchy Granola Bars useful. I hope they help you savour it all, whatever you and wherever you explore. Please let me know how you make out. I would love to hear from you.
PrintHomemade Crunchy Granola Bars
These Homemade Crunchy Granola Bars are a rich, nutrition-packed treats that are perfect for breakfast on the run, lunch boxes, or as a take-along backpack snack for all your favourite outdoor activities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 – 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 bars
- Category: snacks
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: canadian
Ingredients
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¼ cup pumpkin seeds
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½ cup sesame seeds
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½ cup chopped pecans
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½ cup dried apricots, chopped
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½ cup golden or sultana raisins
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1 cup dried cranberries
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1 ¼ cups desiccated unsweetened coconut
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2 cups rolled oats
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2 (300 ml) cans sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Mix the sesame and sesame seeds, pecans, apricots, raisins, cranberries, coconut, oats, and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl until they hold together and there are no loose ingredients.
- Use a spatula to scrape the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Place another piece of parchment on top and press down firmly to spread the mixture out and then roll with a rolling pin making the top as smooth as possible. Even the sides out or spread to the edges depending on how big your rimmed baking sheet is.
- Remove the top parchment paper and bake at 350℉ for 12 to 16 minutes.
- Remove from oven, cool completely, and then cut into 4-inch by 1-inch bars.
- Wrap individually, store in a airtight container in the freezer, and remove as needed.
Keywords: Homemade Crunchy Granola Bars
