Yummy Yummy Granola Bars (with a gluten free option)

I have tweaked this recipe so many times, and still adjust it on occasion. I’m super proud of it, because it is truly MY recipe that I developed on my own. There are many substititutions that can be made based on you and your family’s needs and likes.

I make a batch and have these for my breakfast pretty much every day. Super convenient and filling and healthy and cheap and yummy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted roasted almonds
• 1/2 cup salted roasted shelled pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup flax seeds
• 1/8 cup chia seeds
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1 Tb ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 2 mashed bananas
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Step 1: Grind first five ingredients. I use an old coffee grinder to grind each individually and then dump into a bowl.

Step 2: Add remaining dry ingredients.

Step 3: Mix wet ingredients.

Step 4: Add wet to dry and mix.

Step 5: Spread in a buttered 9 x 13 glass pan. Bake 350 for 25 minutes.

Now let’s talk about the ingredients and do the price breakdown.

The almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds are all from Trader Joes. I just can’t seem to find any others that are that good for the price.

The rolled oats are generic old fashioned oats. If you want to make these gluten free, then pick up a bag of gluten free rolled oats while you are at Trader Joes.

The cranberries and cinnamon are generic.

The coconut sugar is from Trader Joes. I use to use brown sugar instead, but wanted to make them healthier. Your kids may like them better if you stick with the brown sugar, but I don’t share mine anyways (just kidding) (no I’m not).

The honey is local.

Applesauce and eggs are generic.

Pick up some bananas too, while you are at Trader Joes.

Price Breakdown

• Almonds $1.60
• Pumpkin seeds $.93
• Sunflower seeds $.28
• Flax seeds $.29
• Oatmeal $.33
• Cranberries $.86
• Coconut sugar $.84
• Eggs $.27
• Honey $1.09
• Applesauce $.18
• Bananas $.38

Total $7.05 for 12 servings, $.59 a piece!!!!