I used to eat Granola Bars DAILY…for breakfast, for a snack, as a dessert! They are so QUICK AND EASY! And healthy right??

But after I realized the pre-packaged options weren’t exactly the healthiest thing (full of sugars and not much protein/fiber/nutrients) I reluctantly wrote them off.

And then a few months ago, I found this recipe!! It has lots of good protein from a surprise ingredient (quinoa), but the taste and texture is the bomb! My son loves them too. I changed up a few things from the original recipe (source is listed below) and they are a new staple in my house. You can totally customize them by adding more of one thing and leaving out another (nuts, coconut, etc.)

CHEWY QUINOA GRANOLA BARS
Yield: 15 servings
21 Day Fix Container Equivalent: 1 bar = 1/4 Yellow, 1 orange, 3 tsp

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cooked quinoa (for crunchy bars, use uncooked quinoa)
1 cup oats
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup nut butter
1/2 cup honey (local is best)
1 Tbsp coconut oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spread oats and quinoa on a cookie sheet and toast in preheated oven for 8 minute, stirring once halfway through.
3. Place oats/quinoa in a large bowl with unsweetened coconut.
4. Grease the same baking sheet you just used.
5. In a medium saucepan, combine salt, peanut butter, honey, & coconut oil.
6. Bring to a boil over medium heat and immediately remove from heat. (I’ve also used the microwave with good results)
7. Pour over oats mixture and combine until dry ingredients are evenly coated.
8. Press mixture down into HALF of the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.
9. Let cool for up to 2 hours and then cut and serve. (Oven times may vary. Watch your bars carefully to not burn them!)

Adapted from: Instagram.com/ditchthescale