Peanut Butter Chocolate or Carob Granola Bars {Delish Dish Recipe 10}

We LOVE granola bars in our house. They are such a good option for a crunchy snack that isn’t chips or cold. I know the cold part sounds weird  but when its snowing and cold outside the last thing I want is a handful of carrots or cool veggies, so I tend to grab some chips…but granola bars are a better option. Although, I rarely buy granola bars because they are so darn expensive for how little you get!
So, of course, I had to try making my own. While I’m not sure it is actually cheaper to make your own, it was a lot more fun and delicious for sure! 🙂 I originally found this recipe here. I adapted it a bit by substituting half of the recipe with carob chips instead of chocolate. Some of you may already know that I cannot eat chocolate…its a long story…but I’ve discovered carob is a great substitute for me. I actually tapped wax papper halfway down the center of the pan and mix the chocolate and carob bars separately.  For those of you who are vegan this may be a great option too! 🙂 Josh isn’t a fan so I had to make some regular chocolate chip for him.

I am happy to say these turned out great! They are not rock hard, and they don’t have any added sugar! The only bummer part about the recipe is that it calls for ground flax which is SUPER great for you, but not very cheap. If you go looking for this at Whole Foods, you’ll have to look in the Whole Body department  next to all the protein shakes. 🙂 It’d be fun to play around with the ingredients a bit adding different dried fruit or nuts. I’ll let you know if I try any different combinations. 🙂 Enjoy friends!

Peanut Butter Chocolate or Carob Granola Bars | Delish Dish Recipe 10

Homemade Raw Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars Photo

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Serves: 16 bars

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup whole almonds
• 2/3 cup whole cashews
• 1 1/2  cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup ground Flax
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or carob chips
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup peanut butter

Directions:

1. Line an 8×8 baking pan with wax or parchment paper. Leave extra on sides to use to remove bars once they are set. Place aside.
2. In a food processor or blender, chop almonds and cashews until they are small pieces, leaving some large pieces.
3. In a large bowl combine oats, ground flax, crushed nuts, chocolate chips or carob chips, dried cranberries, and raisins. Mix completely. Set aside.
4. Melt peanut butter for 30 seconds in microwave.
5. Add honey and heat in microwave for 20 seconds.
6. Mix honey and peanut butter together until well combined.
7.  Pour peanut butter and honey mixture over dry ingredients. Mix until everything is fully coated.
8. Scoop mixtures into prepared baking dish. Press firmly until the tops are completely even packing it down tightly.
9. Place bars into refrigerator to set for at least one hour.
10. Remove from fridge and cut into 16 pieces.
11. Bars will last at room temperature for 10 day or 2 weeks in refrigerator.