Here are a few variations and these recipes are pretty forgiving, so play around with them!
Peanut Butter Granola Bars:
2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal (or any cereal, or more oats)
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup raisins/craisins/nuts/chocolate chips/whatever
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup (I did honey.)
2/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large bowl, stir together the cereal, oats, nuts, dried fruit. (NOT the chocolate chips, save those for later.) Set aside. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Combine the brown sugar, honey & peanut butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat just until boiling, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture, and mix well. Allow to cool a few minutes then stir in chocolate chips and quickly press into the prepared pan (or the chips will melt.) Allow to cool, then cut into squares.
Vegan Version:
2 c quick oats
1/4 c ground flax
1 c flour (1/2 whole wheat, 1/2 white)
1/2 c brown sugar (could skip this and do extra honey)
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon (could do more)
1/2 c nuts and/or coconut (optional) – I did finely chopped almonds so they’re not a choking hazard
1/2 c chocolate chips (optional) – I would do the IKEA vegan chocolate bars
3/4 c raisins or craisins (optional)
Mix in big bowl, in another bowl combine:
1/2 c canola oil
1/3 c honey
3 T ground flax combined with 6 T water (It will make a gooey texture - if you don't want vegan you can use 2 eggs instead of the flax/water combo.)
2 t vanilla (or 1 t vanilla, 1 t almond extract)
(Alternative – decrease canola oil to 1/3 cup and add & 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter.)
Combine wet and dry, batter will be thick (like cookie dough) and spread in greased 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until edges are golden. Cool completely, turn onto cutting board and slice into bars or squares. These freeze well if wrapped individually and are a great quick breakfast.
We like 1/2 c cranberries, 1/2 c chopped almonds, 1/2 c coconut with 1 t vanilla & 1 t almond. The kids like 1/2 c peanut butter and 1/2 c chocolate chips. It’s a very flexible recipe, play around with it. Do NOT overbake, you want soft and chewy still.