oats 'n honey granola bars {Nature Valley copycat}

I'm excited right now! For multiple reasons actually… because a) it's the weekend. and I have done absotootly nothing. b) I hear thunder. c) 2 of todays' meals consisted of avocado. and Deeeeeeeeee) This is my last post. Wait, that came out wrong. If this was my last post, I'd be bawling my eyes out and shoving my face with brownies. No. You see, I somehow, over the last month(s), have accumulated posts. I'm talking like… 6 drafts all written up at once. And this is the last one! Other than some weird randomness that I made back in January. But I'll save those for when I need something last minute. For emergencies or something… Look at me, thinking ahead! Anyways, it feels good to be on track again. From now on, my posts shall go like this… Bake. Eat. Photograph. Eat more. Write. Post. Boom. 

… So. Granola bars. 

I always have, always will, and still do adore granola bars. If you've followed MHP for awhile, I think I've made that more than apparent. The Oats 'N Honey ones from Nature Valley were seriously my absolute favorite. I used to eat those things like it was my j-o-b! The only way it would have been better is if I actually got paid for shoving my face with Happy Bars. I ate them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night snack, after swimming lessons, before karate, during break at dance class… As you can tell, they were my jelly.

I think copycat is the wrong adjective to describe these bars... Identical is more like it. Seriously, I need to find some green aluminum wrappers to wrap them in, and BOOM! Exact. I almost feel bad that I'm sharing this recipe because I'm pretty sure once you try it, you'll never ever buy a box of those things again and then the company will run out of money because HEY nobody's buying their stuff anymore. Their ex-customers are all at home whipping up a homemade batch that tastes identical or maybe even… better. GASP.

I have to say, at first, I was a bit skeptical of this recipe. It looked a little too dry when I pressed it into the pan and there weren't many ingredients in there. How does that work? Oh, it works. And it works well. I think I've found my new favorite granola bar recipe! I'll definitely be making these again super soon. Like yesterday. The only thing I'm going to do differently next time is double the batch because 6 small bars isn't going to last long in this household. I know it. 

What's your favorite granola bar? Storebought or homemade? Links are welcome :) 

oats 'n honey granola bars {Nature Valley Copycat} 

recipe from Half Baked Harvest

1 1/2 cup rolled oats (use gluten free oats for a gluten free version)

1/2 cup rice crispies cereal

3 tablespoons cornmeal

Pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons canola oil 

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an 9x9 inch square pyrex dish with parchment paper.

Combine the oats, rice crispies, cornmeal, salt and baking soda in a medium size mixing bowl. In a glass measuring cup or microwave safe bowl mix the honey and canola oil. Place in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then add the vanilla and brown sugar. Whisk to combine and then mix the wet with the dry ingredients. Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared pyrex dish that is lined with parchment paper, and press down hard. 

Place in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. The bars will be golden on top. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes then remove from the pan and let sit another 20 minutes or so before cutting. Store in a sealed container or wrapped in plastic wrap.