I found this recipe on Smitten Kitchen and knew I had to try it. I’ve made granola bars before but nothing this soft and chewy.

And thick too! Luckily, I had access to all the necessary ingredients right in my own cupboards! I love when I want to make something that doesn’t require going to the store!

Here are the generic ingredients with my thoughts:

1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats
1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (you can use more if you like it sweet but I thought 1/2 cup was plenty.)
1/3 cup oat flour (or 1/3 cup oats, processed till finely ground in a food processor or blender)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 to 3 cups dried fruits and nuts (I used less than that, about 1 3/4 cups and felt it would be overwhelming with more. Add more of less to your tastes. My mix was almonds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds. I also added 2 chopped up chocolate bars left over from Valentine’s Day)
1/3 cup peanut butter or another nut butter  (optional – I felt like I could barely taste it and I love peanut butter so I will use at least twice as much next time!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or corn syrup

It is a super easy recipe. Mix together your wets in one bowl, your dries in another. Then toss together until evenly textured!

Press into an 8 x 8 pan that is lined with a piece of parchment and lightly greased. Bake at 350 for 30 – 40 minutes until browned on the edges. I probably could have baked mine a little longer but was getting impatient!

These were super tasty! I kept them in a lidded container for about a week and they were the perfect snack for my increasing appetite!

Let me know if you try them or have another granola recipe to share!