I recently tried Nature Valley’s sweet and salty granola bars. I would be lying if I told you they were not good. In fact, they are outstanding! However, I would kinda classify them in the candy bar or cookie category. . . Darn it all! In particular, the cashew would be my favorite. Not like I have tried all four to know. . . That was a lie. Yes, I have tried them all. Don’t worry though, I’m over it. I had my fun while it lasted.
Last night when I realized there were no more candy/granola bars in the house I thought of possibly trying to make some on my own. When I set out to make something like this, there are two things you should know about me. One, I don’t like to have to purchase “special” ingredients that I don’t normally purchase or already have in the house at that moment. Two, I am terrible at measuring and often replace ingredients for others I do not have. I am telling you this, because I do not have a recipe for this particular granola bar showdown and I am encouraging you to try to bake and cook like this. It’s just too much pressure if you try to be exact and strictly go by the guideline of a recipe.
That being said, I shall only list the ingredients that I used, last night. Cause we all know that my next recipe for granola bars will mostly like be wildly different. It just all depends on what is in the cupboard at that time, ya know.
In the mix: oats and chopped nuts
I toasted these on a cookie sheet, in the oven @ 350 for 10 minutes. In a large mixing bowl I measured 1/4 cup wheat germ, ground flax and brown rice flour.
Once the oats and nuts cooled I transferred to the bowl and mixed thoroughly.
Some pretty pink Himalayan salt in theme of the “sweet & salty”
For the sweet factor, I drizzled agave nectar, 2 packets of NuNaturals Stevia, and the rest of a jar of cinnamon raisin swirl peanut butter. The best, honest way to get this all mixed together, was for me to use my bare hands. While doing this, I was bummed that I didn’t think to throw it all in the Kitchen Aid mixer. Gal, sometimes I forget to use that thing. Anyways, to get it to all stick, I added coconut oil and water. Lastly, I mixed in dried fruit and chocolate chips.
All pressed into a pan with non stick spray. definitely used plastic wrap to press down. Otherwise, the batter sticks to the spatula. Cooked in 350 oven for 20 minutes. Done!
So there you have it. “Healthier” granola bars that taste nothing like the Nature Valley ones… Oh, Phoey 
They’re actually better!
stay tuned… In the meantime check out this 
