Is it healthy to eat granola bars everyday?

Granola bars can be healthy, but added sugars, calories, and artificial flavors can diminish the health quality of some over others . Many people consider granola bars a convenient and healthy snack and enjoy their flavor and versatility.

Are homemade granola bars healthier than store bought?

Homemade granola bars are a great alternative to store-bought ones. Because they typically use minimally processed ingredients and very little added sugar or salt, they're often more nutritious than packaged versions .

Should you soak oats before making granola bars?

Fill the bowl up with water to completely cover the mixture – enough that you can stir to combine. This soaking process will help the oats and seeds digest better . After the oat/seed mixture has soaked 8-12 hours, add the rest of the ingredients and combine.

What helps homemade granola bars stick together?

Honey – Along with the nut butter , it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe. Vanilla extract – It amps up the bars' warm flavor.

Can I eat 4 granola bars a day?

Yes, it is possible to eat too much granola . While granola can be a healthy and nutritious food, it is often high in calories and sugar, especially if it contains added sweeteners or dried fruit. Eating too much granola on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.

Is it cheaper to make granola bars or buy them?

Not only can you pick the flavors and ingredients you want, but you don't have to worry about preservatives or other odd additions to your snack food. MAKE OR BUY? Homemade granola bars aren't hard to make once you have all the right ingredients and they'll certainly save you money in the long term .

What is a healthy version of granola?

But the best bet is to choose a granola with minimally processed sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey and agave . Dried fruit will also add fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Granolas fortified with extras like flaxseed and chia seeds are fabulous for a post-workout snack or for a dose of Omega-3 fats.

How many granola bars can I eat a day?

For most people, a granola bar in your lunch or for snack every day is not going to be an issue. If we're having 2-3 a day , maybe it's time to find some more variety in your snacks, but that could vary by the person based on their specific needs.

Do granola bars count as junk food?

Often touted for their whole grain goodness, most granola bars are sticky-sweet junk food in disguise . Don't let a few oats fool you — especially when you also see marshmallows and chocolate chips. Instead: If granola bars are a must-have, choose one with 6 grams of sugar or less per bar, and hopefully some fibre.

What do granola bars do for your body?

Aside from being good for one's weight, granola bars are low in sodium as well, which reduces the appetite and keeps you feeling full for a longer amount of time, thus reducing your food intake . Sodium and cholesterol are both major contributing factors to obesity, both of which granola bars fight.

Do granola bars have any health benefits?

Benefits of Healthy Granola Bars Healthy granola bars are high in fiber, which can contribute to feelings of fullness . Studies have shown that foods high in fiber can also improve blood pressure.

We Made Jennifer Garner's Healthy Granola Bar Recipe (2024)

Home Recipes Bars Granola Bars

Julia K. PorterUpdated: Feb. 20, 2024

I'm always impressed with working moms who make nutritious snacks for their kids. I love Jennifer Garner, and when I heard about her granola bars, I had to check them out!

Jennifer Garner is hardworking mama, but still makes time to post her Pretend Cooking Show on Facebook and share some of her delish recipes with us. I also want to be an awesome mom who can juggle work, school drop-off and domestic bliss in the kitchen.

With a preschooler in the house, my husband and I are often juggling work and life and taking snacks on the go, so trying Jennifer’s granola bar recipe was a no-brainer.

How to Make Jennifer Garner’s Granola Bars

Shutterstock/Chelsea Lauren&Ivory27

Though a naysayer told me it would be cheaper to buy granola bars at the store, I scored all of the ingredients at Aldi—and I picked up enough for several batches! (Check out the 12 things you should only buy at Aldi.)

Ingredients

2 cups oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Getting started

The only change I made to the recipe was to add chocolate chips. I contemplated adding nuts, but in retrospect, I’m glad I stuck to my plan. (We are chocolate junkies in my house and I thought this was good alternative for the chocolate chip cookies my daughter has me make every week!)

Following the directions Jennifer shared on Facebook, I preheated my oven to 300ºF. Then I combined the dry ingredients up through the flaxseed all together in a large bowl. I set that aside, and in a saucepan, I melted the butter, honey, brown sugar, salt and vanilla. Next up—I mixed all the ingredients together, lined a 9×9 pan with parchment paper and packed everything in there.

Baking the bars

I put the pan in the oven for 10 minutes, then took it out, packed the bars down again and baked for another 10 minutes. Yum! Just let ’em cool and they’re ready. You can melt some chocolate with a spoonful of coconut oil or Crisco over a double boiler and drizzle that over the bars, too.

See our expert tips on melting chocolate.

Here’s what I thought

I followed the recipe exactly, but the outside bars didn’t hold as well as I had hoped. (I’m pretty sure I just didn’t pack them tight enough.) However, this “failure” has proven to be one of my greatest kitchen triumphs because…the granola is AMAZING mixed with yogurt or homemade vanilla ice cream. The inside pieces are perfectly packed and I’m not ashamed to say that I’m enjoying one of my granola bars while I type this!

Honestly, this is the best granola I’ve ever tasted and I plan to keep making it moving forward as granola for my yogurt and in bars for my family. A big thank you to Jennifer Garner for passing this recipe on!

More Snacky and Wonderful Cereal Bars

1 / 23

To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I've written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, KansasGet Recipe

TMB Studio

White Chocolate Cereal BarsA friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Chewy Honey Granola BarsThere's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, hints of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. To save a few for later, wrap individual bars and place in a resealable freezer container. When you want a satisfying treat on short notice, just grab one and let it thaw for a few minutes. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont

Go to Recipe

Chocolate Malt Crispy BarsThese chunky, chewy squares are a feast for the eyes. Malted milk flavor coats this treat from top to bottom. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

We Made Jennifer Garner's Healthy Granola Bar Recipe (2024)

How to Make Jennifer Garner’s Granola Bars

Getting started

Baking the bars

Here’s what I thought

FAQs

We Made Jennifer Garner's Healthy Granola Bar Recipe? ›

What do granola bars do for your body? ›

References