Granola Bars
The modern granola bar has its roots in the late 1800s and early 1900s when nutritionists, including Dr. James Caleb Jackson and Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, were advocating for whole grain and plant-based diets as a means of promoting health.
In the late 1800s, Dr. Jackson, who ran a health spa in New York, developed a product called “granula,” which was made from crumbled graham flour and water and was baked until it became crisp. The product was popular with his patients and was later modified by another health enthusiast, John Harvey Kellogg, who added nuts, honey, and other ingredients to create a similar product called “granola.”
In the 1920s, granola began to be marketed as a health food and was commonly eaten as a breakfast cereal. In the 1960s, the first commercial granola bars were introduced. These early granola bars were typically made with oats, nuts, and honey, and were marketed as a convenient and healthy snack.
Over the years, granola bars have evolved to include a wide range of flavors and ingredients, including chocolate chips, dried fruit, and various types of grains and nuts. Today, granola bars are a popular snack option for people on the go or those looking for a quick and convenient snack that provides energy and nutrients.
Are chocolate chip granola bars healthy?
Chocolate chip granola bars can be a healthy snack option when made with wholesome ingredients and in moderation. However, some store-bought varieties may contain high amounts of sugar, preservatives, and artificial additives, which can make them less healthy.
When making homemade chocolate chip granola bars, you can use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, healthy fats like coconut oil, and nutrient-rich ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds. These ingredients provide fiber, protein, and healthy fats that can keep you full and provide sustained energy.
It’s also important to keep in mind the portion size of granola bars. While they may seem small, some can contain a lot of calories, so it’s important to be mindful of how many you consume. As with any food, moderation, and balance are key to a healthy and balanced diet.
Are granola bars good for lowering cholesterol?
Granola bars can be part of a healthy diet that may help lower cholesterol levels, but they should not be relied upon as the sole means to lower cholesterol.
Granola bars made with ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds can provide soluble fiber, which has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) levels. Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol and helps remove it from the body. Additionally, nuts and seeds contain healthy fats that may help improve cholesterol levels.
However, it’s important to note that some granola bars may be high in added sugars and unhealthy fats, which can have a negative impact on cholesterol levels and overall health. When choosing granola bars, look for options with minimal added sugars and unhealthy fats and try to make your own at home using wholesome ingredients.
It’s also important to remember that lifestyle factors like regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking are important for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
What holds these bars together?
The Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are held together by a mixture of coconut oil and honey that is heated until it reaches a low boil, and then poured over a mixture of oats, brown rice crisp cereal, and mini chocolate chips. When the mixture is pressed down firmly into the pan and baked, the honey and coconut oil mixture acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and creating the chewy texture of the granola bars. Once the bars have been chilled in the refrigerator for at least an hour, they become firmer and easier to cut into individual bars while still holding their shape.
How many granola bars can I eat a day?
The number of granola bars that you can eat per day depends on the individual’s caloric and nutritional needs, as well as the specific ingredients and serving size of the granola bars. It’s important to read the nutrition label and be mindful of the calorie and sugar content of the bars.
In general, granola bars can be a healthy snack option when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It’s recommended to aim for whole-food snacks that provide a balance of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
As a general guideline, one to two granola bars per day can be a healthy snack option, but it’s best to vary your snacks and include other healthy options like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to ensure a balanced diet. It’s also important to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues and avoid overeating, even if the snack is healthy.
Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
If you’re looking for a healthier snack option, try these easy-to-make Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars. They’re made with wholesome ingredients such as oats, honey, and coconut oil, and are perfect for a quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack. This recipe is a great alternative to store-bought granola bars.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 ½ cups brown rice crisp cereal
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with two pieces of parchment paper, perpendicular to each other. Make sure each piece of parchment paper hangs over two opposite sides of the pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine coconut oil, honey, and salt. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously until it starts to boil. Let it bubble for 1-2 minutes while stirring.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together oats and brown rice crisp cereal.
- Add the coconut oil and honey mixture to the bowl and stir until well combined. Mix in about 2/3 of the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture and press it down firmly using a rubber spatula and your hand. Make sure to press it down firmly so the bars hold together when cut.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top of the bars and gently press them into the mixture.
- Bake the bars for 15 minutes.
- Once the bars are done baking, let them cool and then refrigerate for at least an hour before cutting them into bars.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Enjoy your homemade Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars as a healthy and delicious snack!
Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Equipment
- Pot
- 13x9-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 ½ cups brown rice crisp cereal
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with two pieces of parchment paper, perpendicular to each other. Make sure each piece of parchment paper hangs over two opposite sides of the pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine coconut oil, honey, and salt. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously until it starts to boil. Let it bubble for 1-2 minutes while stirring.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together oats and brown rice crisp cereal.
- Add the coconut oil and honey mixture to the bowl and stir until well combined. Mix in about 2/3 of the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture and press it down firmly using a rubber spatula and your hand. Make sure to press it down firmly so the bars hold together when cut.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top of the bars and gently press them into the mixture.
- Bake the bars for 15 minutes.
- Once the bars are done baking, let them cool and then refrigerate for at least an hour before cutting them into bars.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
