Chewy Homemade Muesli Bars
Making Nut-Packed, Hearty Muesli/Granola Bars
Create satisfying and delicious muesli/granola bars using the abundance of nuts and dried fruits you have at home. The combination of nutty flavors and sweet-tart dried fruits is exceptional, offering an addictive taste that will keep you reaching for more. For an enhanced flavor profile, soak the dried fruits in rum for 1-2 hours before starting. Also, ensure your butter is fully melted and then cooled slightly before using; this prevents clumping and ensures a smooth mixture. These homemade muesli bars are perfect as a healthy snack for children or a quick breakfast on busy mornings. Let’s get started!
Main Ingredients
- 150g Crispy Oatmeal
- 20g Rice Croquant
- 80g Pecans
- 80g Whole Almonds
- 50g Cashews
- 20g Pistachios
- Optional: 30g other cereals you have at home
- 30g Chocolate Chips
- 80g Dried Cranberries
- 35g Dried Figs (or substitute with raisins, apricots, etc.)
- 120g Whole Wheat Flour
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, for enhanced flavor and texture, lightly toast your nuts in the oven according to your preference. Feel free to use a variety of nuts such as walnuts, sunflower seeds, or any others you have on hand, in addition to the pecans, almonds, cashews, and pistachios listed. Similarly, any type of cereal you have at home can be used as a substitute to create your unique muesli bar.
Step 2
While you can use oatmeal as is, for a smoother texture, consider lightly grinding it in a food processor or blender. This will reduce the coarseness of the oats, resulting in a softer, chewier muesli bar.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine the ground or whole oatmeal, rice croquant, sugar, whole wheat flour, cinnamon powder, and salt. Use a whisk or spatula to mix thoroughly until all dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Ensuring uniform distribution at this stage is key for consistent taste and texture in the final bars.
Step 4
Next, add the prepared toasted nuts, dried fruits (soaked in rum if using), and chocolate chips to the bowl. Gently break apart any clumps of dried fruit with your hands, then lightly mix everything together with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break down the nuts.
Step 5
In a separate bowl, crack the egg and add the corn syrup, maple syrup, melted butter (make sure it’s cooled slightly), and vanilla extract. Whisk or use a fork to combine these liquid ingredients until well blended and no separation is visible. This syrup mixture will act as the binder for the dry ingredients.
Step 6
Now, slowly pour the liquid mixture into the bowl containing the nuts and dried fruits. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together, scraping from the bottom and folding upwards. It’s crucial to ensure all the dry ingredients are evenly coated with the syrup. Mix just until the ingredients are combined; overmixing can make the batter too wet.
Step 7
Finally, if you have other types of cereal at home, add them now and mix them in. Once everything is combined, the mixture will have a slightly thick, cohesive consistency, with all the ingredients clinging together. This is the desired texture that will help the bars hold their shape when baked.
Step 8
Line a baking pan with parchment paper and press the mixture evenly into the pan. Use your hands or a spatula to create a flat, even surface, which will result in neater bars when cut. Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for approximately 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the bars during baking to prevent them from burning.
Step 9
Once baked, it’s important to let the muesli bars cool completely in the pan without removing them. They are fragile when hot, so be patient and allow them to cool thoroughly in the pan before attempting to separate them. This step ensures they maintain their shape and can be cut cleanly.
Step 10
After the bars have cooled and firmed up, carefully lift the parchment paper from the pan and cut them into your desired sizes. Your delicious homemade muesli bars are now ready! Cut them into convenient sizes that are easy to hold and eat on the go.
Step 11
The cross-section of the finished muesli bar looks like this. Unlike typical muesli/granola bars, these have a distinctively softer and chewier texture. The rich nuttiness combined with the sweet-tartness of the dried fruits creates a flavor profile akin to a rich nut bar. Packed with nuts, these bars are a satisfying snack, substantial enough to be a meal replacement.
Step 12
If you’re making these as gifts, consider wrapping each bar individually with parchment paper or tying them with decorative doilies for a beautiful presentation. They are easy to carry and perfect for a quick snack when hunger strikes or as a healthy alternative to regular snacks. We highly recommend giving these a try!
