Homeade Granola Bars

About a month ago I decided to go dairy free for a number of different reasons. I have always had a small intolerance for dairy, and I decided to see how my stomach and skin reacted to going dairy free. I haven't seen a huge improvement in my skin, but I did notice that my stomach was a lot more...well lets just say quiet :)

While trying new recipes I noticed that most granola bars in stores contain dairy. I was SUPER disappointed because I love to have granola bars in my purse or just around the house to snack on rather than just eating total junk. They are also a great energy booster in the late afternoon before dinner when I get the munchies.

I came across this recipe on another blog and adapted it just a little bit to fit my needs and what I had in my kitchen. The nice thing about this recipe is that you can add pretty much whatever extra things you would like depending on what you have in your pantry or the mood you're in! I had a huge bag of craisins from a sams club trip the other day along with some chocolate chips, so I made Cranberry Chocolate Chip Granola Bars. Here is the recipe:

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup Kashi Go lean Crunch
1/2 cup almonds (I have also made them without these because they tend to make the bars pricey, and it still tastes great)
1/2 - 1 cup cranberries
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
3 tablespoons peanut butter

1. Heat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle of the oven. Line the baking pan with parchment, leaving extra parchment to hang over the sides. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: Mix the oats, cereal, nuts, and dried fruit together in a mixing bowl.
3. Warm the honey for about 1:30 in the microwave then stir in the peanut butter until it melts. Mix in the vanilla extract, salt, spices.
4. Stir the honey into the Dry Ingredients.
5. Press into an 8x8 pan.Use wet or lightly oiled hands to firmly press the mixture into the pan.
6. Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes for chewy granola bars or 25-30 minutes for crunchy bars. As soon as you remove the bars from the oven, press them again with the back of a lightly oiled spatula. This will help them stick together!
7. Cool the Granola Bars then lift out of the pan and score with a knife and store in a airtight container between wax paper.

Now enjoy these delicious and dairy free granola bars!

Okay so the picture does not show how delicious and addictive these things are!