With maple syrup and tart dried cranberries, the pecan granola bars are a yummy snack the whole family will enjoy, just like our Healthy Homemade Granola Bars.
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I love making homemade granola bars because I can control what goes into them. These pecan granola bars feature - you guessed it - pecans!
Pecans are really good for you because they are 'heart-healthy.' With fiber, protein and more than 19 vitamins and minerals, pecans are a great addition to your diet.
These bars are crispy so chewy dried cranberries are a nice addition. I really love dried cranberries - the tartness goes so well with the sweetness from the maple syrup. And, dried cranberries are also good for you because of the antioxidants and vitamins they contain.
🧂 Ingredients
- Quick cooking oats
- Puffed rice cereal
- Milled flax seed
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Nutmeg
- Chopped pecans
- Butter
- Dark chocolate chips
- Dried cranberries
- Maple syrup
🔪Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in medium saucepan.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, cereal, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pour the melted butter over the oat mixture and toss to coat.
- Spread the mixture onto two baking sheets and bake for about 8 minutes - shake and rotate the pans and then cook for another 6-8 minutes until the mixture is lightly toasted.
- Remove the oat mixture from the trays to a large mixing bowl. In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans until you smell the nutty flavor. Remove from the skillet and add to the mixing bowl.
- Now line one of the baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to 325-degrees F.
- In the saucepot you used to melt the butter, stir in the syrup and brown sugar and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- To the bowl, add the oat mixture, cranberries, and the milled flax seed.
- Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients. You'll want to mix it really well to be sure all the ingredients are well coated.
- At the last moment, stir in the chocolate chips. Spread the mixture on the prepared pan.
- Now take another sheet of parchment paper and place it over the oat mixture.
- Use the second baking sheet to press the mixture down into the bottom pan.
- Remove the top pan and parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes. The giant granola bar will be golden brown.
Equipment
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- 2 baking sheets
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- Measuring Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Dry Measuring Cups
- Sauce Pan
- Skillet
- Parchment Paper
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📖 Variations
- Use agave nectar or honey instead of maple syrup.
- Substitute sunflower or chia seeds for the milled flax seed.
- Swap out the dried cranberries for other dried fruit like apricots, raisins, or blueberries.
- Instead of pecans, use chopped almonds or walnuts.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Let cool for one hour before cutting into bars - trust me, that this is truly difficult because they smell so good you just want to eat them right away!
These are delicious with a glass of milk after school, as a lunch box snack, or even crumbled on top of vanilla ice cream!
⏲️ Storage
Pecan Granola Bars will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these tasty recipes:
- Cranberry White Chocolate Granola Bars - these make a fantastic on-the-go breakfast or snack.
- Easy Granola Bar Recipe - my granola bars are easy and make a delicious lunchbox treat.
- Peanut Butter Granola Bars - if you love peanut butter, these are a must-try.
You'll also love our Oatmeal Fig Bars which are a cinch to make.
📋 Pecan Granola Bars
Not ready to make it yet? Don’t forget to pin the recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Pecan Granola Bars
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Ingredients
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal
- ¼ cup milled flax seed
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1-½ cups chopped pecans
- 1 stick 8oz butter
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in medium saucepan.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, cereal, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pour the melted butter over the oat mixture and toss to coat.
- Spread the mixture onto two baking sheets and bake for about 8 minutes - shake and rotate the pans and then cook for another 6-8 minutes until the mixture is lightly toasted.
- Remove the oat mixture from the trays to a large mixing bowl. In a large skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans until you smell the nutty flavor. Remove from the skillet and add to the mixing bowl.
- Now line one of the baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to 325-degrees F.
- In the saucepot you used to melt the butter, stir in the syrup and brown sugar and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and cook for 4-5 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- To the bowl, add the oat mixture, cranberries, and the milled flax seed.
- Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients. You'll want to mix it really well to be sure all the ingredients are well coated.
- At the last moment, stir in the chocolate chips. Spread the mixture on the prepared pan.
- Now take another sheet of parchment paper and place it over the oat mixture.
- Use the second baking sheet to press the mixture down into the bottom pan.
- Remove the top pan and parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes. The giant granola bar will be golden brown.
Equipment
- 2 baking sheets
- Spoon
- Sauce Pan
- Parchment Paper
Notes
Use agave nectar or honey instead of maple syrup.
Substitute sunflower or chia seeds for the milled flax seed.
Swap out the dried cranberries for other dried fruit like apricots, raisins, or blueberries.
Instead of pecans, use chopped almonds or walnuts.
close up of a Granola Bar wrapped in parchment paper on a cutting board
🍴 SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Let cool for one hour before cutting into bars - trust me, that this is truly difficult because they smell so good you just want to eat them right away! These are delicious with a glass of milk afterschool, as a lunch box snack, or even crumbled on top of vanilla ice cream! ⏲️ STORAGE
Pecan Granola Bars will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Marlene Baird says
Wow those granola bars look fantastic and I want one.
Angela says
Now this is my kind of health food!! 😀 Great idea using the ale to make a syrup! There are so many great recipes in this challenge - I am glad I don't have to pick a winner!