Pantry lover's granola is made when you need to clean out your kitchen pantry. Use my base recipe, and your kitchen pantry's odds and ends, to make this healthy snack.
This Friday, May 13th, 2011, Steph’s Bite by Bite is hosting an online bake sale to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I can't wait to participate in an online bake sale! I've never done anything like this before but it is the second time Steph has hosted a bake sale on her site. I'm donating Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies (one of my favorites). Tons of awesome bakers are involved, so get pumped! Steph's last bake sale earned $1,707 - let's see if we can up the ante for round two!
Now on to breakfast week, day two! I love granola as a snack at any time of the day, but waking up to a quick and delicious bite of granola really makes me feel like I'm doing something good for myself.
Not sure if that's true or not - but granola is packed with oats, nuts, wheat germ, peanut butter and deliciousness. It can't possibly be bad for you, right? Granola makes the perfect breakfast. Not too heavy, not too sweet, this little girl thinks it's juuust right.
I'd been craving granola since I realized Handsome was never really going to finish that box of cereal he had to have and it had been left to taunt me from the counter. I moved it every time I needed to toast a piece of bread, reminding myself that I would soon turn it into something delicious. Every time I needed to reheat leftover pizza, I craved the crunch of home made chewy granola bars.
I'm not sure what kept me from spending five minutes in the kitchen to make this pantry lover's granola, but I'm so happy that I finally have it here to munch on.
From now on, I promise to keep granola in my house at all times - we're never really going to finish any box of cereal otherwise.
What's your perfect weekday breakfast?
Pantry Lover's Granola
A Pass the Sushi creation, because it's time to rotate the shelves.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups leftover cereal (I used Honey Bunches of Oats)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup roasted peanuts
- 3 tbs wheat germ
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ¾ cup honey
- ½ cup dried mixed berries
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
Lay cereal, rolled oats and wheat germ on a baking sheet and toast, mixing often for 5 to 10 minutes, until wheat germ has turned light golden brown. Let cool.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter and honey in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, 7 to 10 minutes; a smooth consistency will form. Let cool.
In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients until everything is well coated with peanut butter-honey mixture. Spoon into the prepared 9x13 pan and, using the back of the spoon press into the pan.
Using the parchment paper, lift the granola out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into bars and enjoy.
The other big news in today's blog post? The winner of the Graeter's Ice Cream giveaway!
The winner of the 6 pints of ice cream is Tanya from Scattered Stamper!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
This granola is full of all things I love! It sounds so delicious that I might have to make it:-)
Erin says
I've been meaning to make granola bars with a bunch of dried fruit and nuts I have lying around, but I always manage to put it off...
Tanya says
I am beyond excited! I told my DH how yummy the ice cream looked, especially the black rasberry! Thank you for an awesome giveaway!
Roxan says
I love granola... so much. I've never made it before though, and rarely have it in the house because I'll eat it all too fast. If I had more will power and self control I'd be making it all the time though!
Congrats to the winner!
Dionne Baldwin says
YAY! A granola bar recipe that my daughter might eat! 🙂 I'm a granola freak. Maybe it's the Greek yogurt I eat with it but regardless I am crazy about granola. I'll let you know how these bars turn out. 🙂
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
I have been making granola for a bizillion years - and can you believe that I have never made granola bars? What is wrong with me? 😛
RavieNomNoms says
What a perfect granola! I love when you just clean out what you have, normally that ends up being a great recipe and this certainly looks great!!
Mary at n00bcakes says
Ooo, they're soft! Nom. These get my breakfast vote! 😀
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
I love it when granola bars use leftover cereal! Since I live with a guy who's constantly leaving just enough in the box that makes it seem like a waste to throw it out but it's not enough for a bowl, this will be perfect. Many thanks!
The Harried Cook says
I love granola bars... this one looks dark and very inviting... I'm sure it felt to clean out your pantry so you can go shopping for new stuff! 🙂
Val says
I made these tonight. They turned out amazing!!!! Thank you so much for this super easy and delicious recipe!!! The only thing I changed was instead of a cup of peanut butter, I used 1/2 cup peanut butter (because that was all I had left) and then a 1/2 cup of nutella. It made everything so chocolatey and great!!! Will totally make this again!
Maggie @ Vittles and Bits says
Great idea to use leftover cereal, we tend to have a lot of that in this house! I have been on a kick of making my own granola bars too lately, these look yummy 🙂 So much better than the super sugary ones you guy in the store!
Kate@Diethood.com says
I never have leftover cereal... that's all I eat! 🙂 And granola! Thank you for the recipe...I love that you put PB in there!!
ainat says
Hi, Do these not need to be baked or refrigerated? Mine are sticky and falling apart, help! Thanks.
Kita says
I would put them in the fridge to set or add a little more honey to your mix. Mine held ok, but were a little on the crumbly side. Hope this helps and isn't too late!
ainat says
Thanks, refrigeration did the trick.