Sweet & Savory Granola Bars with Walnuts and Rosemary

These Sweet and Savory Granola Bars made with California walnuts, rosemary, honey, and oats is the perfect on the go snack.

I received free samples of California Walnuts mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Walnuts and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Sweet and salty. Soft and crunchy. Hot and cold. When it comes to meals and snacks, I’m a sucker for food combos. Once the afternoon slump hits, I can never decide if I want something sweet or savory, so why not both? All my food cravings accomplished all in one healthful bar.

A recipe contest always gets my creative juices flowing, and was excited to see this one from California Walnuts. Their flavor instantly reminds me of fall (and all things maple walnut), and have you ever heard that foods are shaped like the body part they’re good for? Research suggests walnut consumption may be associated with improved cognitive function..which explains its brain-like appearance.

What makes these sweet & savory granola bars delicious and healthful

• honey
• avocado oil
• rolled oats
• puffed wheat cereal (can also used puffed rice or puffed millet cereal)
• salt
• black pepper
• chopped dried rosemary
• chili powder
• chopped California walnuts
• ground flax
• golden raisins

How to make these granola bars

Start by lining an 8×8 square baking pan with parchment paper, and setting aside. Next, in a large bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups of rolled oats, 3/4 cup puffed wheat cereal, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 2 teaspoons chopped dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 cup chopped California walnuts, 2 tablespoons ground flax, and 1/2 cup golden raisins until combined.

In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup honey, and 1/3 cup avocado oil over medium heat. Stir continuously until it starts to bubble. Let the mixture bubble for about 30 seconds, remove from heat, and let cool for 1 minute. Then, pour honey mixture into oats, and stir until fully combined.

Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan, and press down firmly to make sure mixture sticks together. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the bars feel firm to the touch. Cut into 12 bars, and refrigerate up to a week, or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Pro Tips

• You can use binder clips to help keep your parchment paper from popping up in your baking pan.
• Make sure you press FIRMLY on your bars when in the pan to keep them from falling apart. Use the back of a spatula, wooden spoon, or oil your hands to keep it from sticking.
• Swap out the golden raisins for your favorite dried fruit. Some other ideas are dried cranberries, cherries, or chopped dates.

FAQs

I can’t find puffed wheat cereal. What can I use instead?

I usually find mine in the ‘healthy’ or organic aisles, but if you can’t find puffed wheat, you can also use puffed millet cereal, or puffed rice cereal instead.

My bars are falling apart. What happened?

Here are a few things you want to make sure you do to keep the bars together. First, make sure you press down firmly on the bars when adding to the pan. Also, make sure they are firm before cutting into bars, and are best stored in the fridge or freezer to help them keep their shape.

Money-Saving Tips for these Sweet and Savory Granola Bars

Buy store brand. Utilize store brands for items like oats, seasonings, and oil for a cost-effective option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Buy in bulk. Purchase items you use often like oats, walnuts, and raisins in larger containers. These tend to be more cost-effective than smaller packages.

more snack recipes

Super Easy No-Bake Energy Bites
Savory Hummus Energy Bites
Pre-Workout Potato Energy Bites

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