No Bake Granola Bars

I love granola bars and certainly the amount of granola bars I make and the amount of recipes for granola bars on my site, are a testament to that statement. These are fabulous because no baking is involved.  

I actually have a few more of these granola bar recipes to share with you.  I am always trying new recipes and tweaking them.  As stated in a previous post, I get on kicks.  And yes granola bars have been an ongoing kick for me.  Mainly because I like to have them on hand for the kids lunch, a quick breakfast or a snack.

I use to eat one of the commercial brands but after I have been making my own for years- it is super de duper hard for me to go back to those.  I must make them as an obligation to taste and the goodness factor.  How is that for super corny?  But yet so true.

No Bake Oatmeal Bars

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup chopped pretzels
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup chocolate chips



Cut out an 8 x 14 inch rectangle of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan, hanging over the sides for quick and easy extraction (how is that for a big word?).

In a sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. WHile that is heating, in a large bowl combine the dry ingredients- cereals, wheat germ, chocolate chips and oats.

Pour the mixture into the dry mixture. Stir until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Lightly spray the back of a rubber spatula with cooking spray and use it to press down the mixture into the prepared pan. Place the bars in the refrigerator and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve.