There are a few simple things in life that make me over-the-top-excited. Excited to the point I feel giddy inside like a 6-year-old on Christmas morning.
Picnics are on of those things.
Plan a hike to a lake, with a bag of trail mix granola bars and a sandwich at the top — we’re talking a simple picnic — and you will instantly be my best friend.
That scenario includes all my favorite things…nature, a hiking buddy and FOOD. Do you see why I just can’t resist that?
I’m a big homemade granola person.
I’m that girl who makes a giant batch of homemade granola bars before a trip so I can snack on them all week long. I just love having the freedom and creativity to put whatever the heck I want into those bars.
On that note, feel free to be creative with these Trail Mix Granola Bars. Don’t like dried cherries? Swap em out for blueberries instead! Can’t stand pumpkin seeds? Use sunflower! The options are endless.
But once you’ve whipped up a batch of these, do it right and eat them on a long hike to a lake. You’ll be rollin Sarah style, and you’ll be glad you did. 😉
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup pumpkin (pepita) seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except coconut oil, peanut butter, honey and chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine coconut oil, peanut butter and honey in a small microwaveable bowl and microwave about 30 seconds, or until melted. Stir to combine.
- Pour liquid over the dry ingredients and gently mix together until incorporated. Once cooled, fold in chocolate chips and mix gently with hands or wooden spoon until chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the granola.
- Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and press the granola evenly into the bottom of the pan. Place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden, then cut into squares and enjoy!
- Store extra granola bars in the fridge in an air-tight container.
Notes
*This start to fall apart when they get warm. For best results, keep them in the fridge until you eat them. If taking on-the-go, wrap individually in plastic wrap or a small ziploc bag.
Want to try some other granola recipes? Give these a go:
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- Grain-Free Granola
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- Greek Yogurt Bowl with Granola
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- Cranberry Cashew Buckwheat Granola
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