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Cranberry Granola Bars
Homemade granola bars are a fantastic way to start the morning. This version combines hearty old-fashioned oats, toasted wheat germ, and chopped walnuts for a deeply satisfying crunch. Sweetened with a blend of honey and light brown sugar, the mixture bakes into a beautifully golden and chewy treat. Dried cranberries add a tart contrast to the warm cinnamon notes. These bars are perfect to keep on hand for busy weekday breakfasts or easy afternoon snacks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 large egg whites
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup wheat germ, toasted
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- 1Heat the oven to 325°F. Coat a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Line the pan with aluminum foil so that two inches hang over the edges, then lightly spray the foil.
- 2Place the old-fashioned oats on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high power in one-minute bursts for a total of four to five minutes, stirring in between, until the oats smell toasted and turn golden. Set them aside to cool.
- 3Combine the honey, vegetable oil, water, egg whites, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk everything together until the mixture is completely smooth.
- 4Stir the cooled oats, toasted wheat germ, chopped walnuts, and dried cranberries into the wet ingredients. Pour the mixture into the lined baking pan. Dampen your hands with water and press the mixture down firmly into an even layer.
- 5Bake for 28 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Let the pan cool completely on a wire rack. Lift the foil overhang to move the baked block to a cutting board, then slice it into 16 equal bars.
- 6Keep the finished bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, or freeze them for up to one month for longer storage.