Granola Bars

I love granola bars, but they are always so expensive in the store.  I received this recipe in a mailer from Kroger about 2 years ago when they were doing their "Kid Approved Snacks" campaign.  I saw this and tried it and fell in love with this recipe!  This particular picture shows some I made for St. Patrick's Day.  I used orange and green m&ms and used dark chocolate chips. 

Granola Bars
Ingredients
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup of peanut butter
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Line a 9x13 in pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
2. Mix all ingredients together and press into the pan
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
4. Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting.
5. Store in air-tight container.

Notes
Make 16 rectangular bars.

You can make just about any kind of granola bar that you want.  Just substitute the 3/4 cup of chocolate chips for anything you like.  Just make sure whatever it is, it is only 3/4 a cup.

Peanut Allergy?  Just substitute the 1/2 cup of peanut butter for 1/2 cup softened butter.  The taste will be slightly different but the bars will still turn out great!

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Is homemade worth it?

2 cups quick-cooking oats = $.92
1/2 cup brown sugar = $.215
1/2 cup honey = $1.50
1/2 cup of peanut butter = $.278
3/4 cup chocolate chips = $.937

One recipe costs $3.85, so one granola bar = $.24.

Normally when I buy granola bars, I buy Nature Valley. They costs $3 for 6 bars.  That is $.50 per bar, which is more than double the price of making them homemade.

The price of the Quaker Oats granola bars are very comparable to these.  At around $2 a box for 8 bars, you would pay $.25 per bar.  The size of the Quaker Oats granola bars is significantly smaller than the homemade ones.

Summery
Nature Valley Granola Bars = $.50
Quaker Oats Granola Bars = $.25
Homemade Granola Bars = $.24

Keep in mind the cost of making these will change if you substitute something different for the chocolate chips, or if you purchase any ingredients on sale.

Granola Bar Ideas

Peanut butter and chocolate chips
Dried Fruit/Nuts
Marshmallows
Marshmallows and chocolate chips
Sunflower seeds
M&Ms
Reeses Pieces

I will add pictures as I make each variety. I have liked every kind I have tried!