No-Bake Granola Bars

I love homemade granola! (Check out my recipe here.)
I like that I can customize it to my (and my family's) taste.
I like that I can make it various ways and without preservatives.
I like that I can sneak so many healthy things into it!

I decided that I wanted to try to make some no-bake granola bars out of some yummy, homemade granola. I've seen various no-bake cookie recipes using sweetened condensed milk, but I didn't want to go that route. Then, I had an idea! I love Rice Crispy Treats. Why not "marry" the two?
Now with Rice Crispy Treats, I use tons of marshmallows. I use way more than the recipe calls for- ooey-gooey stickiness, at its best. I didn't want that for these bars, so I cut the marshmallow content down. Way down.

The result? Better than I had hoped!!!

Here's what I did:

I started by making my own homemade granola. This can be made in the microwave by mixing the ingredients, then microwaving in small batches for 2 minutes at a time, stirring in between, until it is golden brown. Or, if you prefer, you can bake it or cook it on the stove top. I have had success with all three methods.

Here is the granola that I used this time:

Granola:
2 cups 5 grain cereal (this has oats, rye, wheat, triticale, barley, and flax seed meal)
2 cups whole rolled oats
1 cup almond slices
1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup brown sugar + 2 TB water
2 TB butter or margarine (I used Smart Balance), melted
2 TB coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Mix the grains, almonds, and coconut in a large bowl. 
2. Mix the brown sugar/water, butter, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon in a smaller bowl. 
3. Add the liquid mix to the grain mix stir well to coat.
4. Microwave in small batches for 2 minutes at a time, stirring each time, until golden brown. Be careful not to burn.
5. Pour onto a cookie sheet and mix in the dried cranberries. Spread it out to cool.

No-Bake Granola Bars

(makes about 20 bars)

4 cups of granola

15 large marshmallows

1 TB coconut oil (or you can use butter or margarine)

1. Grease a 11x13 pan or a cookie sheet and a spatula with coconut oil, cooking spray, butter or whatever other preferred method you have. Just make sure it's slippery.
2. Put the marshmallows and the coconut oil in a large microwave safe bowl, microwave it for 30 seconds, or until the marshmallows are all puffed up.
3. (Remove from microwave) add the 4 cups of granola to the marshmallows. Stir to coat well.
4. Spread mixture in the pan and flatten it with the spatula. 
5. Let it cool. (...or cut one now, for an ooey-gooey, warm treat... quality control, right?)
6. Cut into bars (I used a pizza cutter for this). Store in an airtight container.

I'm not sure what I like best about these bars.

• They are super-easy to make- you can make them in the microwave!
• You can add pretty much anything you like in them. 
• You can hide all kinds of yummy, healthy things in them, and the kids still think they are candy. It's true. My 5 year old asked me, "Mom, is this candy?" I, of course, said, "Yes." She smiled and told me how yummy it was. I mean, come on... you can't beat that, right? 
• They are yummy! I mean, I am borderline addicted to them! 

I am already thinking of different flavor combinations for these bars.
I think a mini chocolate chip and peanut combo would be great! I could even add some natural peanut butter to the marshmallow mixture.

What flavor combo do you think would be great?