Yummy Chewy Granola Bars and or breakfast granola

2011-09-20 14:21
Mountain Standard Time

Granola does NOT have to be expensive.  It's easy, tasty and good for you.

Here's what's in them:
2 tablespoons of canola oil

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour or rice flour or oat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips or raisins, m&m's or nuts, sunflower seeds or any combination of dried fruits.

Heat  oil in a large skillet on medium. Toast the oats in the oil stirring till they brown.
In a large mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar.  Add to skillet.  Heat over medium till the sugar melts and everything is toasted and light brown. Make sure you stir it so it does not burn.
Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.Lightly press mixture into lightly greased 9x13 cake pan. (I use the bottom of a drinking glass since it is hot to press the mix into the pan).  Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

*If you want them crispy bake them after you put them into the cake pan for 10 minutes at 375.
 *Wrap them as individuals in plastic wrap to store them.

If you'd rather eat it in a bowl with milk just crumble it up.