My children are shamelessly addicted to those Quaker chewy chocolate chip granola bars.
It’s not enough that I put one in their lunch boxes.
For my three-year-old, it’s her go-to every time she has even a hint of hunger. And only the chewy chocolate chip bars. Not the chocolate coated, not the peanut butter, not even another brand, because (my) children are the least flexible creatures on this planet.
Given I like to at least have some semblance of control in their lives, I thought I’d have a go at making homemade Quaker granola bars.
I’ve tried something similar before. These banana oatmeal bars have even more healthy stuff jammed in, but bananas are on shaky ground in my house.
But these. Oh my goodness. These granola bars are easy to make and taste just like the Quaker ones. And I can control the sugar that goes in there.
Also, I snuck in some flax seed meal. Also, there is no corn syrup anywhere in these.
Homemade Quaker granola bars got the seal of approval from my daughter.
She ate two while I was photographing them and I had to use all my powers of verbal manipulation to keep her away so I could finish taking pictures. Equally important (or more?), I love them and now I have a new favorite snack.
Tips on making chocolate chip granola bars
You can easily play around with this recipe and try substituting wheat germ for the flax seed meal.
Or keep out both. (But really, you can’t taste it at all, so why not? I have a habit of adding flax seed and wheat germ to food.) Try adding peanut butter or dried fruit or whatever you adore.
A couple notes about the recipe: I toasted the oatmeal for a few minutes in the oven, as I think this enhances the flavor, but it’s optional.
Make sure you use the Quick 1-Minute oats, too, and not the Old Fashioned. The latter are too chewy for this recipe.
These bars were quite thick, so I may try and use a larger baking dish next time and press the mixture more thinly. And bonus, that means more granola bars to enjoy!
Yield: 18 bars
CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS RECIPES -- This copycat version of Quaker chew chocolate chip granola bars is healthier and delicious.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time23 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups Quick Cooking Oatmeal
5 tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Honey
1/4 cup Brown Sugar, Packed
3/4 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 cups Crispy Rice Cereal
1/4 cup Flax Seed, Optional
pinch of Salt
1/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions
Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Place the oats on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 5 minutes, or just until the oats start to brown. (This step is optional.)
Place the coconut oil, honey and brown sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently, and let cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
In a large bowl, place the oats, rice cereal, flax seed (if using) and salt and stir to mix.
Scrape the sugar and honey mixture into the bowl with the oats and cereal. Stir very well.
When the mixture is cool enough not to melt the chocolate chips, stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and use your hands to firmly press the mixture into the dish, flattening the top evenly. If the mixture is sticky, wet your hands.
Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for one hour, or until firm. Cut into rectangles and store at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap.
Natural peanut or cashew butter – It helps bind the bars together, and it adds protein, healthy fats, and irresistible nutty flavor. Whole rolled oats – They give these bars a perfect chewy texture.
You'll be the hero of your household when your kids find Quaker Chewy in the pantry! With 100% whole grains and other delicious ingredients you can feel good about giving your kids a granola bar they'll love. With so many flavors to choose from, there's something for everyone.
Granola bars are made from ingredients like oats, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, honey, coconut, and chocolate chips. The nutritional value of granola bars can vary greatly depending on the brand and ingredients used.
In December, the Quaker Oates Company recalled certain granola bars and cereals over possible salmonella contamination. Then in January, the company expanded the recall, adding about two dozen more products to the list.
While there are several different sticky ingredients that you can use, we've found that the binding agent that works the best is honey! When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together.
Make sure that whichever granola recipe you use, it calls for some liquid, typically oil of some kind (I recommend olive oil for a subtle earthy, floral flavor, or melted unrefined coconut oil for subtly coconutty flavor). The liquid will help the chia seeds to gel, ensuring the granola sticks together.
The idea is that the egg's protein will help the oats bind to each other and create delicate clusters. Results: Not only does the egg white work as a glue to hold the oats together, but it also gives the granola an incredibly crispy bite.
This involves blending oats, nuts, honey or other sweeteners, and other ingredients together, typically using large commercial mixers. The mixture is then shaped into bars and baked in special ovens. After baking, the granola bars are cut into individual portions and packaged for shipment.
The reason, as listed by Quaker, is potential “salmonella contamination.” The affected products bear “best before” dates of February 10 or 11, 2024. The USDA said the products were sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. Do I have salmonella poisoning, or something else entirely?
The Quaker Oats Company is an American food division business headquarted in Chicago. Quaker's products include, oatmeal, cereal, and granola bars. Since 2001, Quaker Oats Company is owned by PepsiCo, Inc..
In 1968, a plant was built in Danville, Illinois, which now makes Pearl Milling Company pancake mixes, Oat Squares, Life Cereals Quaker Oh's, Bumpers, Quisp, King Vitamin Natural Granola Cereals, and Chewy granola bars, as well as Puffed Rice for use as an ingredient for other products in other plants.
Glycerin, a common ingredient in all high-protein bars, helps to reduce water activity, keeps the dough pliable and less sticky and helps to maintain bar softness during shelf life. The ingredients are mixed together to form a dough.
Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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