Peanut Butter, Honey & Graham Cracker Bars |

These bars were inspired by a S'mores Casserole (you heard me) I enjoyed at a lakehouse the other weekend. 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.
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.
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!
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