Snack bars have been around for a long time. We see them everywhere, we can buy them anywhere and they are an staple item in the diet of millions of people. I have to admit that I love them and you could always find at least one in my backpack when I was in school (oh so many years ago!) They are a quick and convinient snack and that’s why they are so popular. But have you stopped to read their labels?
I hadn’t and really got disappointed when I found out that most of them contain high fructose corn syrup and a long list of ingredients that I can’t even pronounce. It was a big bummer for me because I usually eat a protein bar right after my workout (and to be honest most of those protein bars are so nasty and so very expensive). That’s when I decided I was going to start making my own.
I was surprised at how easy and inexpensive making your own is, not to mention you have a lot more control on what goes in them. And that’s why I chose bars for the third installment of Homemade, a food event which goal is to challenge people to make staple foods at home. My first attempt was inspired by this Alton Brown’s recipe. They were tasty and crunchy and so easy to make that I decided to try something different, my very own granola and peanut butter bars.
I followed the same recipe, but added 1/3 cup of peanut butter, used roasted peanuts instead of almonds and didn’t use any sunflower seeds (I didn’t find raw at the store) The result were these soft and chewy granola bars. I am really liking them and in the very near future I am going to try my own protein bars. I’ll share the recipe here with you.
If you want to participate in this challenge, here are the guidelines:
- Any kind of snack bar counts, granola or any other cereal, protein, chocolate, etc. Be creative with this challenge!
- Post completed challenges on your blog. Please include pictures (if possible) and a link to the forum (http://whatscooking.us/forum). You may use the badge for your posts.
- When your challenge has been posted, leave the permalink on this post of the forum so I can include it in the roundup. The deadline to receive entries will be April 24th and the roundup will be posted on the 27th.
¡Buen provecho!
18 Replies
So true re store bought bars. Wild things you don’t want to eat.
These look wonderful Ben!
Bars . . .
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I can remember reading the labels on those things, too, and decided that some were definitely better than others especially when it came to carbs vs. protein! These sound yummy. I’ve been looking around for some good recipes to try.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
hmmm…must print this one. looks really tasty
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
These are much better than the one your buy at the store. They look really good.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
…and they contain peanut butter Ben!!!!Yum!!!
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I do not like store bought bars. They taste too sweet or taste of preservative. I am yet to make a bar at home…
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Homemade is always best – those bars look just scrumptious!
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Oh wow, my popularity will rise if my children find these in the cookie jar!!! Looks so good!!!!
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Oh wow, homemade peanut granola bars. I am definitely sure that they are better than the store bought ones.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 pm
This may just be the motivation I need to finally make peanut butter granola bars!
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
What a great idea Ben! This look like a great energy source for my biking outings ;D. I would love to participate but Semana Santa is getting near and I will be gone and my plans are: Tomar el sol, pasear por la playa y cocinar poco
Posted on April 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 am
Oh, Matt would really like these!
Posted on April 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 am
They look delicious but I have to confess I am not a real granola bar enthusiast… Sometimes I do find a great one, but hmmmm, maybe I should try to make my own then!
Posted on April 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Yes yes yes! Making your own is easy and cheap. And tastes better too.
Posted on April 3rd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Nutritional Info the recipe provided with the substitutions you mentioned and the serving size mentioned in the original:
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 55 g
Calories 218 Calories from Fat 72
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.0g 12%
Saturated Fat 2.1g 10%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 112mg 5%
Total Carbohydrates 33.8g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3.1g 12%
Sugars 19.7g
Protein 5.8g
Vitamin A 1% • Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 3% • Iron 8%
Nutrition Grade C+
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet
Food for thought perhaps… just because it is natural doesn’t NECESSARILY mean it is well balanced, though I do agree there are numerous ways to make something like this at home while keeping the nutritional factors in balance and that if done properly it would be FAR superior to a storebought product.
Posted on April 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Just entered the challenge, and linked to you! Horray!
Posted on April 4th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Thanks for the tip about proofing loaves in the oven! I’ll have to try that out. =)
These bars look awesome! I tried to make some peanut butter granola bars but they ended up a little too crumbly..
Posted on April 7th, 2009 at 9:04 am
These kind of bars are just making it into our stores in India, but like you said, I’m not very happy with the list of ingredients they display.
Home-made bars beat them anyday, tastewise and nutritionwise.
Posted on April 9th, 2009 at 5:18 am
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