Peanut Butter, Honey & Graham Cracker Bars

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Peanut Butter, Honey & Graham Cracker Bars
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    [post_date] => 2018-08-23 09:41:24
    [post_date_gmt] => 2018-08-23 15:41:24
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    [post_title] => Peanut Butter, Honey & Graham Cracker Bars
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08.23

Several weekends ago, my boyfriend and I enjoyed a fabulous weekend with friends at his family's lakehouse. Despite the gorgeous scenery, the hit of the weekend was a S'mores Casserole (you heard me) that we whipped up after dinner one night. I'm still working on recreating this masterpiece in a healthier fashion for y'all, but suffice it to say...the dish was literally licked clean.

As we were departing the following day, I noticed a whole box of graham crackers leftover, and I just couldn't let it go to waste! Graham cracker and peanut butter sandwiches were one of my all-time fave snacks growing up, and I wanted to use that epic combination in something a wee bit more nutritious than our s'mores casserole.

peanut butter, honey and graham cracker granola bars

I'm also a sucker for graham cracker crusts, so I thought maybe a few crackers could be used as a "flour", along with peanut butter and honey as the binders, in a portable granola/trail mix-style bar. Well, hear me now: these are hands-down my most favorite bars I have EVER created. That's not to say they'll be your favorite, and it certainly doesn't diminish the goodness of my other bar recipes, but it is my TRUTH currently.

You might be thinking, why are you recommending a refined, processed product Laura Lea?!

Are Nabisco graham crackers the healthiest thing in the world? No. But the reality is, countless households keep graham crackers around for kiddos and adults alike, since there's really nothing else like them...and they're scrumptious. My job is to meet people (and their pantries) where they are, and help make sustainable, manageable health improvements.

peanut butter, honey and graham cracker granola bars

That said, if you want to make your own graham crackers, HERE is a recipe from a website I trust!

Insanely simple to make, the hint of signature graham flavor pairs with nutrient-dense ingredients like oats, seeds and walnuts to provide a snack that is as satisfying and energizing as it is outrageously delicious (if I do say so!).

Can't do nuts? Feel free to sub sunflower butter or tahini for peanut butter and another 1/4 cup seeds for the walnuts. I also think these bars would be bangerang with  some dried cranberries or raisins mixed in...or CHOCOLATE CHIPS omg.

If you or your kiddos love graham crackers, but you want to boost the nutrition and satiety quotient, I cannot recommend these bars enough! Please do tag me on Instagram @lauraleabalanced #llbalanced if you make them--I will be waiting with baited breath to see if you love them as much as I do!

peanut butter, honey and graham cracker granola bars

peanut butter, honey and graham cracker granola bars

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TOTAL TIME :
8-12servings
INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup raw walnuts, chopped into 3-4 pieces
  • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • 4 sheets graham crackers
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup melted butter (sub coconut oil)
  • 1/4 cup honey (haven't tried maple so not sure)
  • 1/3 cup runny peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 325 and line an 8x8 casserole dish with nonstick parchment. To a regular large baking sheet, add oats, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Spread in an even layer and bake for 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  2. While mixture is baking, add graham crackers to a blender and pulse until they form a fine flour consistency. Add graham cracker flour to a large mixing bowl, along with chia seeds, cinnamon and sea salt.
  3. When oat mixture has cooled 5 minutes, add to the large mixing bowl and stir to evenly incorporate ingredients.
  4. In a smaller mixing bowl, combine melted butter, honey, peanut butter and vanilla. Whisk to incorporate, then pour into the large mixing bowl. Stir to mix everything evenly, then add it to your lined 8x8 baking dish. Press firmly into an even layer. I suggest placing another piece of parchment on top of the bars and pressing/smoothing to make sure everything is compact.
  5. Refrigerate for 4 hours before slicing and enjoying! Keep leftovers in the refrigerator, tightly sealed, up to 7 days.
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