Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

My kids have started coming home from camp so the Season of Endless Snacking has begun. 

Based on their descriptions of the food and their eating habits at camp, I realized they could use some fiber in their diets and whipped up these easy, one bowl, allergy friendly granola bars for them. 

Ingredients:

• 5 Cups Rolled Oats (not instant)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup canola oil (or other neutral oil)
• 2/3 cups light corn syrup, golden syrup or honey
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and spread oats evenly across the pan. Toast the oats for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway. 

In a large microwave safe bowl (large enough to hold the oats), combine sugar, salt, oil & corn syrup (or honey). Stir vigorously. Microwave for 20-30 seconds to help dissolve the sugar and ease the mixing process. The oil will try to separate out but keep mixing until it's well combined. 

Once the oats are lightly toasted, remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes so the chocolate chips won't when you add them. Once cool enough, pour oats on top of the sugar mixture and the mini chocolate chips on top of those. 

Begin carefully stirring until oats are well coated with the sugar mixture and the chips are evenly dispersed through the oat mixture. 

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment or foil and spray with nonstick spray. Spread the oats in the 9 x 13 pan and begin pressing down as firmly as you can. I cover the pan with a layer of parchment and use another pan of similar size to press down. You want it as tightly packed as possible. 

Once it's as packed down as best you can, cover the pan with parchment or plastic wrap and chill for at least four hours or overnight. 

Once ready, remove from fridge and cut into about 24 bars. Wrap each bar individually (or not). 

Variations: 

1. Instead of or in addition to the mini chocolate chips, add diced dried fruit of your choice. Check labels for allergy information. 

2. Flax seeds or flax meal can provide additional fiber and nutrients. 

3. Spices added to the sugar mixture can change the flavor profile in fun ways if the base is getting boring: try pumpkin spice or chai to mix it up. I once added 1 tsp of peppermint extract instead of vanilla by mistake and they were excellent. 

Enjoy!!