Cranberry Almond Granola Bars are a healthy snack made with minimal ingredients yet are bursting with flavor! Made from agave syrup, brown sugar, oats, Rice Krispies, almonds and dried cranberries. These granola bars are NO BAKE!!
Save Money- Make your own Kind Cranberry Almond Granola Bars!
Granola bars are one of those snacks that, every mom knows, must be stocked in the cupboards at all times. Some days I feel like my kids (oooor myself) survive off of granola bars.
Healthy, grab & go and filling. What more could you ask for??
Oh, I know!! These granola bars won’t make you think you are going to break your teeth! ? Please tell me I’m not the only one who is slightly terrified their teeth when eating the super hard Kind bars. Just me? I’ve had teeth drama my whole life, so you really can’t blame me. But that is a story for a different time.
Besides the whole ‘I’m going to do some serious dental damage’ thing, I feel like I have to give up my left kidney just to purchase the things! (Okay, confession. I haven’t actually purchased any Kind bars. Remember, I’m cheap. I have though, eaten my fair share while at the cabin this past summer.)
Save money and your teeth and make these NO BAKE (wait, we haven’t talked about the fact that they are no bake! They are no bake!) Cranberry Almond Granola Bars in a matter of minutes in your own kitchen instead!
How to make Homemade Cranberry Almond Granola Bars
First, gather you’re ingredients. Seriously! I am usually a grab it as you need it type gal, but this recipe is so fast that you’ll need everything nearby! You’ll need, quick oats (not rolled!), rice Krispy cereal, almonds, dried cranberries, vanilla, brown sugar and agave syrup.
Yes, you can substitute honey for the agave if you’d like. The honey flavor is very powerful and takes over the flavor of the granola bar, which is why I opt to use agave. Much more of a subtle flavor.
The brown sugar and agave will go into a sauce pan on medium high. Stir until the brown sugar is combined and then once it starts to boil, set a timer and let it boil for 1 minute and 30 second.
If using honey, ONLY BOIL FOR 45 SECONDS.
If the mixture isn’t boiled long enough your granola bars won’t set up, if it is boiled too long, well, we will have a break your teeth situation. ?
One the mixture has boiled for the specified time, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Either while the above mixture is coming to a a boil or before starting anything, measure out the oats, cereal, dried cranberries and almonds into a medium sized bowl.
Pour the hot liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and quickly stir to coat.
Line the upper portion of a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Press the granola bar mixture into the pan, using the three edges to create straight lines.
I find the easiest way to press the granola bars is to spray the back of a glass container with non stick spray and then press down on the granola bar mixture, packing it tightly.
Let them cool completely (about an hour) before cutting them into bars.
I’ll admit, I often toss them into the fridge for a few minutes to speed the process up, but don’t forget about them! Or they will be rock hard. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. ?
Use a sharp knife and cut the granola bars.
Store the granola bars in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
YIELD: 10 BARS
Cranberry Almond Granola Bars
(Printable Recipe Below)
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup rice Krispy cereal
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup almonds, whole
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup agave syrup (can sub honey)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Measure out the quick oats, cereal, dried cranberries and almonds into a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
- Over medium high heat, bring the brown sugar and agave syrup to a boil. Once it starts to bubble, set a timer for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Press the mixture into the top portion of a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Allow to cool for 60 minutes before cutting.
Notes
Troubleshooting: Granola bars didn’t stick together? The mixture wasn’t boiled long enough. The granola bars are hard? The mixture was boiled too long.
If using honey, boil for just 45 seconds.
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Cranberry Almond Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup rice Krispy cereal
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup almonds whole
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup agave syrup can sub honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Measure out the quick oats, cereal, dried cranberries and almonds into a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
- Over medium high heat, bring the brown sugar and agave syrup to a boil. Once it starts to bubble, set a timer for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Press the mixture into the top portion of a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Allow to cool for 60 minutes before cutting.
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