Extremely chewy, home made muesli bars which might be cheaper, tastier and far more healthy than store-bought. Tastes like a chewy caramel studded with nuts and fruit! Glorious strategy to filter out random leftover nuts and dried fruit.
The case for home made muesli bars
There’s some issues that I’ll at all times (in all probability) purchase from the retailers. Like – potato crisps. And cheezels (I really like ’em! Don’t choose me.😭)
However there’s some issues that I’ll by no means purchase, after discovering how good and simple home made is. Muesli bars at present tops that record. (That’s granola bars, to these of you within the States!).
I really purchased a field of a preferred model right here in Australia referred to as Carmen’s so I might do a side-by-side style check, home made vs retailer purchased. The feel is sort of precisely the identical. However the flavour of home made is way superior. Put merely, you’ll be able to style all of the components higher. Additionally, the whole lot in home made muesli bars is all-natural. No mysterious meals components or preservatives to outlive on grocery store cabinets!
We’re making chewy ones as we speak
There’s an infinite number of muesli bar flavours out there as of late. Nut free, fruit free, chocolate chips, chocolate drizzle! With as we speak’s recipe you’ll be able to customise the flavour to your hearts’ content material.
As for texture – broadly talking, there’s two varieties: chewy and crunchy. We’re making chewy ones. And after I say chewy, I don’t exaggerate. It’s like consuming a chewy caramel – besides you get to really feel smug trigger these muesli bars are good for you.
Doubt me? Right here’s proof of chew:
What goes in muesli bars
The mixture of fruit and nuts I’ve used is a copy-cat of Carmen’s basic fruit & nut muesli bars, a very talked-about model right here in Australia. You possibly can actually use any add-ins you need, so long as you stick to three 1/2 cups in complete as that’s how a lot the peanut butter-honey “glue” will maintain collectively.
The glue
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Pure peanut butter (or almond butter) – Totally different to business peanut butter unfold as a result of it’s acquired no sugar, salt, preservatives and so on added. It’s 100% peanuts which suggests higher peanut flavour and it’s runnier (therefore why it really works higher for issues like satay sauce).
Combine properly if separated – The absence of stabilisers additionally implies that the oil and peanuts will separate if left within the pantry for ages. Be sure you combine properly to mix earlier than utilizing. In case your peanut butter has solidified into cement, attempt microwaving briefly to heat (take away the metallic lid!) then combine with a butter knife or chopstick. If that also doesn’t work, scrape the oil & peanut cement right into a jug and blitz with a stick blender (executed that loads of occasions!).
Non-peanut substitute: I believe almond butter is finest, for flavour and texture. I’ve learn in different granola bar recipes that different nut butters work too.
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Honey – For pure sweetness. Maple syrup must also work.
Add-ins
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Rolled oats – not fast oats, simply plain conventional oats.
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Almonds – entire, roasted, unsalted. I like to present them a really tough chop so it disperses higher.
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Sultanas – or raisins, cranberries or another dried fruit of alternative (if utilizing massive items like apricots, recommend chopping).
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Pepitas – as a result of it’s in Carmen’s. Like that it provides some color to all of the brown-ness!
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Sesame seeds – as a result of it’s in Carmen’s.
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Coconut – as a result of it’s in Carmen’s. Use desiccated coconut (ie finely shredded) that’s not sweetened. Flakes will even work however as a result of they’re bigger they gained’t disperse as properly all through (possibly chop or crush in fingers?).
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Cinnamon – just a little contact of cinnamon actually works on this!
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Salt – Only a contact brings out the flavours on this.
How you can make ultra-chewy muesli bars
I really like that it is a no-bake recipe!
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Combine the add-ins in a microwavable bowl utilizing a picket spoon.
Why microwavable? As a result of the peanut butter glue is kind of thick and if the air is cool or should you take your time with the blending or should you take a name out of your good friend mid-mix, the glue could get so thick it’s too onerous to combine. If this occurs, a 20 second microwave will do the trick!
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Combine glue – Put the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over low warmth and blend to mix. Use a rubber spatula and cook dinner, stirring nearly continually, for five minutes to thicken. Scrape the bottom of the saucepan, getting in across the edges. DO NOT WALK AWAY throughout this step as it might catch simply on the bottom.
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Purpose – Thick caramel-like combination. It ought to mound like ribbons, as pictured above. Mainly, the thicker the combination, the chewier your muesli bars!
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Instantly pour the combination all throughout the floor of the oats. Use the picket spoon to combine to mix till you’ll be able to not see dry oats. At first this may appear not possible, however persevere as it’s going to occur! Utilizing stabbing motions and smearing in opposition to the aspect of the bowl helps.
If it will get too onerous to stir, microwave for 20 seconds then it is going to be a breeze.
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Press – Place a sheet of paper over a 20cm/8″ sq. pan (no must grease, why create pointless washing up??). Scrape the combination in then press it into the pan utilizing a mixture of the picket spatula to unfold it out, then fingers to press it in.
Press firmly however maintain among the floor bumpy reasonably than aiming for utterly flat. If you happen to press actually, actually firmly ie make the floor nearly utterly easy and flat, the bars will likely be very, very chewy. I personally discovered it just a little too chewy, however possibly that’s what you need!
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Refrigerate for two hours to set then minimize into 10 bars. Or 8, if you would like bars just a little bigger than store-bought. Then eat! Effectively, chew. 😂
Issues of muesli bars
By no means thought I’d be writing a bit titled as above, however I do have some a number of sensible issues to share with you on the matter of home made muesli bars!
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Are muesli bars wholesome? This home made one is, being made with all-natural components with no fats or sugar added. Nonetheless, most store-bought ones are usually not. Look intently on the components record and also you’ll see sugar and unfamiliar meals components listed.
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Storage – Hermetic container within the fridge retains them recent and perky for two weeks. Out of the fridge, the oats soften quicker over time which alters the feel of the muesli bars. However they don’t go off.
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Chilly vs room temp – The muesli bars are firmer / chewier when fridge chilly then soften to store-bought muesli bar stage chewiness at room temperature. I really actually like them chilly, for additional chew. As I discussed earlier, it’s like a guilt-free chewy caramel!
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When to eat it – Breakfast on the run or snack! Truthfully, you’d by no means even consider these as “wholesome” as a result of they’re candy and engaging. I minimize them into squares, drizzle with chocolate (see final level) and function a day tea candy deal with.
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Lunchbox shelf life – Simply all day, out of fridge is okay. Fridge storage isn’t about preserving them food-safe, it’s about preserving them more energizing for longer.
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Mini choc chips – The choc chips on retailer purchased muesli bars are smaller than those utilized in chocolate chip cookies, they’re mini ones. I discovered them at my native Scoop Wholefoods (Mona Vale, Sydney). You realize these shops the place you assist your self to fruit, nuts, goodies and so on out of tubs?
So as to add them to your muesli bars, press the combination into the pan then let it cool barely else the choc chips will soften. Then scatter the mini choc-chips throughout the floor and use your fingers to press them in. Then refrigerate.
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Chocolate drizzle – You’ll solely want a small amount of chocolate drizzle. I discover it onerous to soften small portions of chocolate in a bowl within the microwave (at all times seizes). I discover the best manner is to pop about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (regular ones, this time!) in a small ziplock bag. Seal, microwave for 10 seconds at a time (therapeutic massage to “combine) till melted. Snip nook, drizzle throughout muesli bars.
So, what do you suppose? Is that this a very good weekend to rummage by means of your pantry to spherical up all these leftovers nuts and dried fruit from different recipes to make home made muesli bars?? – Nagi x
Watch the right way to make it
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Muesli bars (granola bars)
Prep: 15 minutes
Prepare dinner: 5 minutes
Fridge setting: 2 hrs
Breakfast, Snacks
Australian, Western
Servings10
Faucet or hover to scale
Recipe video above. These are chewy, no-bake muesli bars that may maintain for two weeks. Cheaper, tastier and far more healthy than store-bought, it is also a wonderful strategy to filter out random leftover nuts and dried fruit. Simply keep on with the recipe ratio of “glue” to add-ins (3 1/2 cups complete). My mixture is a dead-ringer for Australia’s in style Carmen’s Basic Fruit & Nut Muesli Bars (which value $6.50 for six!).
Elements
Add ins (3 1/2 cups your alternative, Be aware 3):
Directions
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Mix Add-ins in a big microwaveable bowl (simply in case, Be aware 4).
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Glue – Combine the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over medium warmth till easy. As soon as mixed, flip the range right down to low. As quickly as you begin seeing little bubbles across the edges, cook dinner for five minutes, stirring continually scraping the bottom, till it is sort of a very thick caramel (see images and video in submit). You need to be capable to draw a path throughout the bottom and it holds earlier than closing in on itself. DO NOT WALK AWAY, it’s going to catch simply. (Be aware 5)
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Combine – Instantly pour it throughout floor of the oats and so on then combine. It takes a little bit of effort but it surely does come collectively ultimately. Stabbing and smearing in opposition to the wall of the bowl helps. If it will get too thick, microwave for 20 seconds on excessive to loosen the glue then combine (then it’s a breeze!).
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Press – Put a sq. piece of paper over a 20cm/8″ sq. tin (no must grease). Drop muesli combine in then unfold proper into the corners, utilizing a mixture of your fingers and picket spoon, Firmer press = chewier muesli bars.
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Set – Refrigerate 2 hours till agency then minimize into 10 bars (minimize in half, then every half into 5).
Recipe Notes:
1. Use pure peanut butter which is simply 100% peanuts, no salt, no sugar, stabilisers, preservatives and so on added, not like business unfold. Runnier with a stronger peanut flavour (therefore why it’s a should for satay sauce!), and higher for you.
Oil and peanut are inclined to separate if left in pantry for ages so combine till mixed earlier than utilizing. Strive microwaving (no lid!) to heat then mixing with chopstick or knife. Failing that, scrape the whole lot in a slim jug and blitz with stick blender.
Non-peanut substitute – I believe almond butter is finest, for flavour and texture. I’ve learn in different granola bar recipes that different nut butters work too.
2. Maple syrup must also work, simply be sure that it cooks right down to the identical consistency proven within the recipe video.
3. Add ins: use 3 1/2 cups in complete of no matter you need, although I like to recommend a minimum of 1 cup of oats for substance.
4. Use a microwavable bowl simply in case. Why? The glue is kind of thick and may be onerous to combine in. If it units just a little an excessive amount of mid-stir, a fast 15 second microwave loosens the glue up once more and makes it a lot simpler to combine in. Belief me, I learnt the onerous manner after I took a name from a good friend mid-stir.
5. The glue – The thicker the glue when it comes off the range, the stronger the bind, the chewier your muesli bars. If you happen to don’t cook dinner it down, the glue gained’t be as robust. Your muesli bars will maintain collectively advantageous however will lack the fascinating CHEW!
6. Storage – Retains for a minimum of 2 weeks within the fridge in an hermetic container. They’re very onerous & chewy when chilly so carry to room temp (except you need some critical chew!).
7. Vitamin per museli bar. One bar is an effective breakfast on the run!
Vitamin Data:
Energy: 309cal (15%)Carbohydrates: 43g (14%)Protein: 8g (16%)Fats: 14g (22%)Saturated Fats: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 4gMonounsaturated Fats: 6gTrans Fats: 0.002gSodium: 38mg (2%)Potassium: 344mg (10%)Fiber: 5g (21%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 57mg (6%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
Lifetime of Dozer
You knew I’d do that with the flowers as quickly as I used to be executed with the meals images, proper??!
