Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Afterschool snacks don’t have to be loaded with sugar to be loved by your kids!

Chef Joe Mirra, director of dining services at The Peck School, shares a healthy recipe that can be made to customize the tastes of any picky eater: granola bars. Encourage your young chefs to make these with you and test out different add-ins, such as apple, cranberries, or almonds. 

Ingredients

1.5 cups old fashioned oatmeal cereal, dry
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
2 tbsp light brown sugar
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
2 ¼ ounces honey
1 ⅛ ounces pure maple syrup
2 ½ ounces melted butter

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients (oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and chocolate chips).
2. To the dry ingredients add melted butter, vanilla, honey, and maple syrup. Mix well. The mixture should be well coated and moist. 
3. Place on a baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper and pat in an even layer. Bake in a 350-F oven for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. *TIP* Do not over bake as the bars will become dry. 
4. Cool and cut into 2” squares