My kids absolutely love granola bars.  They can eat an entire box in just one day.  It drives me crazy.  If we have granola bars in our house it is what they want to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacktime.  And I don’t mind the occasional granola bar, but they are not always the healthiest option.  Most granola bars are not as healthy as we think they are.  They are usually high in sugar, and I am always trying to find way to cut down my kids sugar intake {and my own}.

These bars contain no added sugar, no preservatives, really no artificial anything.  I was a little hesitant if my kids would actually eat these or not, but it turns out I worried for nothing.  My oldest loved them, and even my sugar addict younger kids eat them.  Success!

Looking for other healthier snack options, give these a try as well.

Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

Crispy Edamame

Pixie Sticks made with Freeze Dried Fruit

Banana Pops

Apple Smiles

Fig and Walnut Energy Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup bran cereal
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup walnut pieces
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped stemmed dried figs
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Place the oats, cereal, flour, walnuts, figs, dry milk, cinnamon and ginger  in a food processor; coarsely chop.

Add the honey and eggs; pulse  until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to the pan; spread evenly with your fingers. Bake until lightly browned around the edges, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then cut into 16 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months.

*Recipe from Food Network Magazine.