No Bake Granola Bars

I've been on the look out for a good granola bar recipe. I knew that making our own bars would be cheaper and better for us. How knows what all they put in the ones you buy from the store. After a few fails, I found a no-bake recipe and modified it a little. The results are super yummy and the Picky Kids Quad begged for more.

Quick and Easy Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars

• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

 Line an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil leaving a 2-inch overhang. In a large mixing bowl, toss together oats and Rice Krispies, set aside. In a separate microwave safe mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and salt. Heat mixture on HIGH power for 1 minute, remove and stir. Return to microwave and heat on HIGH power 1 minute longer. Remove from microwave, pour in vanilla and whisk mixture for 30 seconds. Pour peanut butter mixture over oat mixture and toss well to evenly coat. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish, firmly press mixture into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze 10 - 15 minutes to make it easier to cut. Lift bars from dish using foil overhang and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.



Total: $1.84, $.12 a bar

Compare to Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, which are about $.22 a bar at Walmart.com. (maybe more in stores, I'll check it out.)