Chewy muesli bars (granola bars)
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Fridge setting
2 hrs
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Servings
10
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Calories
309 kcal
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Cuisine
American, Australian
Chewy muesli bars (granola bars)
Description
Chewy muesli bars merge a variety of wholesome ingredients such as rolled oats, sultanas, desiccated coconut, roughly chopped almonds, pepitas, white sesame seeds, cinnamon, and a touch of salt. The key component is the peanut butter and honey mixture that is cooked down to a thick caramel-like consistency, ensuring a sticky and chewy texture that binds the dry ingredients effectively. This careful cooking process of the glue layer contributes to the bar's signature chewiness and firmness.
After mixing the heated peanut butter and honey with the dry ingredients, the mixture is pressed firmly into a square pan and later cut into bars. The mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit offers a varied texture and a balance of sweet and nutty flavors. These bars can be stored in the refrigerator and are notably chewy at room temperature versus hard when cold.
Use natural peanut butter without additives for the best flavor and texture. The recipe suggests flexibility in the add-ins, recommending at least a cup of oats for substance, and mentions alternatives like almond butter or maple syrup that can be substituted while maintaining texture. The bars keep well refrigerated for up to two weeks and benefit from warming to room temperature before eating to regain chewiness.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120g) peanut butter mix oil in well, Note 1, pure natural, smooth, or other nut butter
- 1/2 cup (175 g) honey (Note 2)
Add ins (3 1/2 cups your choice, Note 3):
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut , unsweetened
- 1/2 cup almonds , very roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup Pepitas
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix Add-ins - Using a wooden spoon, mix the add-ins in a large microwaveable bowl (just in case, Note 4).
- Glue - Using a rubber spatula, mix the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth. Once combined, turn the stove down to low. As soon as you start seeing little bubbles around the edges, cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly scraping the base, until it is like a very thick caramel (see photos and video in post). You should be able to draw a path across the base and it holds before closing in on itself. DO NOT WALK AWAY, it will catch easily. (Note 5)
- Mix - Immediately pour it all over surface of the oats etc then mix with the wooden spoon. It takes a bit of effort but it does come together eventually. Stabbing and smearing against the wall of the bowl helps. If it gets too thick, microwave for 20 seconds on high to loosen the glue then mix (then it's a breeze!).
- Press - Put a square piece of paper over a 20cm/8" square tin (no need to grease). Drop muesli mix in then spread right into the corners, using a combination of your hands and the wooden spoon. Firmer press = chewier muesli bars.
- Set - Refrigerate 2 hours until firm then cut into 10 bars (cut in half, then each half into 5).
Notes
- Measure ingredients by weight for accurate results, especially the peanut butter and honey.
- Natural peanut butter (100% peanuts) is best for flavor and texture; stir thoroughly before use as oil may separate.
- If the binding mixture becomes too thick during mixing, microwave briefly to loosen it for easier combining.
- The longer the peanut butter and honey mixture cooks, the chewier the bars will be due to a stronger bind.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks; let them warm to room temperature before eating for optimal chewiness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 309 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 309cal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.002g | 0% |
| Sodium | 38mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 344mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
| Vitamin A | 1IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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