Granola bars make a quick and healthy snack
Sunflower and Apricot Granola Bars
THE KIDS WILL SOON be back in school, you’re busy at work, and with all that comes busy evenings of after school activities and less time to cook. One of the most dreaded aspects of preparing food for many people is making school lunches.
It’s convenient to buy pre-packaged snacks and add them to your child’s lunch bag, but it’s not always the healthiest choice. Making your own snacks doesn’t have to be difficult. We aim to stock our kitchen with meals and snacks that are ready to go for those busy nights and lunches the next day. You can set aside a Sunday afternoon and make tons of items ahead, then freeze them for future use.
Granola bars are just one example of something you can easily make at home with healthy ingredients that’s still a treat. And you can freeze these in individually wrapped portions for use when the kids need a lunchtime or after-school snack. Just don’t leave the whole pan on the counter, or it may be devoured!
1-3/4 cups rolled oats 2/3 cup sunflower seeds 1/3 cup wheat germ 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. salt 2/3 cup chopped dried apricots 2/3 cup local honey 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup sunflower oil
Place honey, sugar and oil in a saucepan on low.
Stir constantly and heat until the sugar has dissolved.
In a large bowl, place oats, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, ginger, salt and apricots.
Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well so the ingredients are coated in the honey.
Line a 9x9 pan with parchment paper and spoon the prepared mixture into the pan.
Bake in oven at 350˚F for 25 minutes until the edges are golden. (This may take longer depending on your oven.)
Remove from the oven and allow it to cool.
Cut into bars, wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container (or freeze for future enjoyment).