Chewy muesli bars are a delicious and nutritious snack that can energize your day. Packed with wholesome ingredients, they make a perfect on-the-go treat for busy parents, athletes, or anyone looking for a quick bite. With the right balance of sweet and savory, these bars satisfy not just your hunger but also your taste buds.
Why Make This Recipe
Making your own chewy muesli bars at home is easy and rewarding. You control the ingredients, making it a healthier option compared to store-bought snacks filled with preservatives. Plus, these bars are customizable! You can add your favorite nuts, seeds, or dried fruits, tailoring them to your family’s tastes. Best of all, they are a great way to reduce food waste by using up leftover pantry items.
How to Make Chewy Muesli Bars
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120g) pure natural peanut butter, smooth, or other nut butter (mix oil in well, Note 1)
- 1/2 cup (175 g) honey (Note 2)
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened
- 1/2 cup almonds, very roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Mix Add-ins: In a large microwaveable bowl, combine all the add-ins using a wooden spoon. This will be your base.
- Glue: In a saucepan, mix peanut butter and honey over medium heat until smooth. Once well combined, reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes while stirring constantly. It will become thick like caramel. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning!
- Mix: Pour the thick mixture over the oats and other ingredients in the bowl. Combine well with the wooden spoon. Use a bit of elbow grease here! If it feels too thick, give it a 20-second zap in the microwave to loosen it up.
- Press: Line an 8″ square tin with paper (no greasing needed). Transfer the muesli mix to the tin and press down firmly into the corners using your hands and the spoon. The firmer you press, the chewier your bars will be.
- Set: Place in the fridge for 2 hours until firm, then cut into 10 bars (cut in half, then each half into 5).
How to Serve Chewy Muesli Bars
Once your chewy muesli bars are set, they are ready to enjoy! You can serve them with a side of fresh fruit or a dollop of yogurt for a balanced snack. They also pack well for lunch boxes or picnics.
How to Store Chewy Muesli Bars
Store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks or freeze them for up to three months. Just thaw in the fridge before enjoying.
Tips to Make Chewy Muesli Bars
- Make sure to mix the nut butter well before measuring to ensure the right consistency.
- If you prefer a nut-free option, substitute the almonds with more seeds or additional dried fruits.
- For added sweetness, consider mixing in chocolate chips or dried fruits like cranberries or apricots.
Variation
You can easily customize your chewy muesli bars! Try swapping peanut butter for almond or cashew butter. You can also replace sultanas with other dried fruits or almonds with walnuts or pecans for different textures and tastes.
FAQs
1. Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes! You can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to make these bars vegan-friendly.
2. What nut butter can I use?
You can use any nut butter you prefer, such as almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
3. How do I know when the caramel mixture is ready?
The mixture should be thick and sticky, holding a line when stirred. Remember to keep stirring to avoid burning!
Enjoy making and snacking on these wholesome chewy muesli bars! They are not only simple to make but also packed with goodness, perfect for any time of the day.
Chewy Muesli Bars
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup pure natural peanut butter, smooth, or other nut butter Mix oil in well before measuring.
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sultanas
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened
- ½ cup almonds, very roughly chopped
- ¼ cup pepitas
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Mix Add-ins
- In a large microwaveable bowl, combine all the add-ins using a wooden spoon.
Glue
- In a saucepan, mix peanut butter and honey over medium heat until smooth. Once well combined, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.
Mix
- Pour the thick mixture over the oats and other ingredients in the bowl. Combine well with a wooden spoon.
- If it feels too thick, give it a 20-second zap in the microwave to loosen it up.
Press
- Line an 8″ square tin with paper (no greasing needed). Transfer the muesli mix to the tin and press down firmly into the corners.
Set
- Place in the fridge for 2 hours until firm, then cut into 10 bars.
