At Bob's Red Mill and in many houses worldwide, snack bars are enjoyed as a grab-and-go treat no matter what time of day it is. When made with wholesome, natural ingredients, bars are a healthy snack option that can easily replace processed treats and even curb your sugar cravings. If you're interested in learning more, then you've stumbled upon the right article. Stick with us as we discuss the many benefits of snack bars and the different kinds you can make. From baked oatmeal-based snack bars to gluten free no-bake bars, this healthy treat is one you won't want to pass up.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Snack Bars
Snack bars can be purchased in stores or made quickly in the kitchen. While both are a great option, if you're searching for a snack that will provide a nutritional boost as well as curb hunger cravings, then you'll want to check the ingredients.
Store-Bought Snack Bars
When it comes to store-bought snack bars, checking nutrition labels is essential. Snack bars that are made with wholesome, healthy ingredients can be added to the cart guilt-free. However, bars that contain high amounts of sugar, preservatives and artificial additives should probably be left on the shelves.
Bob’s Bars
If you're searching for a store-bought snack bar that's great for you and great tasting, then pick up some of our Bob's Bars. With flavors ranging from peanut butter and jelly to peanut butter banana, Bob's Bars feature a short, simple and clean ingredient list which makes them just as great for you as the healthy, homemade bars you usually make at home. Apart from being loaded with nutritious ingredients, Bob's bars are also free of gluten, soy, dairy and egg and are Non-GMO Project Verified. They're an easy way to up your intake of essential vitamins and minerals. Each bar contains up to 6 grams of protein and less than 10 grams of sugar.
Homemade Snack Bars
Homemade granola bars are what you make of them. They're an easy-to-make treat that you can whip up with just a few ingredients. Using nutritious ingredients like oats, honey, nuts and seeds to create your snack bars is an excellent way to incorporate more of these superfoods into your diet.
Make Homemade Bars in Batches
By making a large batch of homemade bars early on in the week, you can guarantee that you always have something healthy to munch on when the midday hunger cravings strike. When making homemade snack bars, it's important to use a recipe that has been tried and tested. Too much or too little of any one ingredient can ruin a granola bar's texture and leave you to pick up the crumbs.
Customize Homemade Snack Bars
Another benefit of homemade granola bars is that they are entirely customizable. Adding your favorite foods and flavors to a snack bar is easy, especially when it's made with a versatile base like oats. Before heading to the kitchen, choose a homemade bar recipe that stands out to you. Whether you're craving something sweet or salty, there's sure to be a snack bar that satisfies.
Different Types of Snack Bars
Now that we've discussed the difference between homemade and store-bought snack bars, it's time to consider the variety of snack bars you can make. When it comes to granola bars, the possibilities are endless. Dried fruits, nuts and seeds can be incorporated into homemade snack bars to produce a wide variety of flavors and textures. Keep scrolling for an overview of the many types of snack bars you can make.
Oatmeal-Based Bars
When it comes to making the perfect granola bar, you can't go wrong with oats. Oatmeal is loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals that make this whole grain the ideal snack bar base. The rich amount of fiber in oatmeal will leave you satisfied and help you stay fuller for longer. Adding oatmeal to a homemade bar creates the ideal mid-day treat to munch on between meals. Aside from its impressive nutritional benefits, oatmeal is also a natural binding agent. This means that it helps all of the other ingredients combine into one when added to a recipe. The mild flavor and light texture of oatmeal makes it easy to mix with sweet and salty ingredients to produce delicious results. Toast it, soak it or bake it. Working oats into your snack bar recipe will surely take it to the next level.
Blueberry Oat Crumb Bars
For a delicious oatmeal-based bar recipe, make these Blueberry Oat Crumb Bars. Made with whole food ingredients like whole wheat pastry flour, organic regular rolled oats and organic coconut sugar, they're a healthy bar to pack with you on the go. Flavored with ground cinnamon and sliced almonds, these bars have a sweet taste that both children and adults will love. Enjoy a bar before your morning run, or pack one in your child's lunch box as a healthy treat.
Gluten Free Bars
Are you following a gluten free diet? Making snack bars from scratch is an excellent way to make sure your bars taste delicious and are entirely free of gluten. When making gluten free snack bars, there are several ways to do so. If you're just starting out, we recommend choosing a recipe that's already gluten free. By doing so, you can take the guesswork out of baking and use measurements intended for gluten free flours.
Looking to boost the nutritional value of your bar? There are several great gluten free add-ins that you can use! Amaranth, gluten free granola and quinoa are all excellent gluten free bases that will help bind the rest of your ingredients together. Ensure that your bars remain gluten free and steer clear of wheat-based products and flours. Even trace amounts of gluten can cause gastric upset in those with an intolerance to it.
When purchasing pre-made bars, take a close look at the ingredients and assure that the snack bars are certified gluten free. Bob's Bars are entirely free of gluten, dairy and soy and an excellent choice for individuals with food allergies and dietary restrictions.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
To make a great-tasting bar from scratch, begin with these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars. The ideal breakfast or snack, you can customize this granola bar with chocolate chips, raisins, dried fruit, coconut and nuts. A gluten free, high fiber, lactose and soy free treat, it's one that you can feel good about. Our Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour and Gluten Free Rolled Oats are used to create the ideal texture in this recipe. Make a large batch of these bars at the beginning of the week and freeze them until you're ready to enjoy them.
Baked Bars
A homemade granola bar can be made in several different ways. Granola bars can be baked, toasted, refrigerated and frozen to create a delicious on-the-go snack that you can enjoy anywhere. While the options are endless, one of our favorite versions of snack bars is the baked variety. Baking your bars allows all the different flavors of all the ingredients to blend as one. It also produces a chewy granola-like texture and helps keep your bars from crumbling upon contact.
When baking granola bars, you must consider the ingredients used. Various flours, granolas and seeds must be cooked at different temperatures to create the desired result. We recommend starting with a baked granola recipe that you trust. From there, get creative in the kitchen and begin adding or swapping your favorite ingredients little by little. In no time, you will have created a classic granola bar to satisfy your family's cravings.
Whole Grain Power Bar
Searching for a baked granola bar recipe to get you started? Try out this Whole Grain Power Bar Recipe. Made with good-for-you seeds and grains like quinoa, rolled oats, brown flaxseed and shelled sunflower seeds, it's brimming with vitamins and minerals that are great for your health. Customize this recipe by adding in cocoa powder, peanut butter, dried fruit and all of your favorite add-ins. We're confident it won't disappoint!
No-Bake Bars
Save time in the kitchen baking, and create no-bake granola bars instead. No-bake granola bars use super-binding ingredients that come together when refrigerated or left to set. Because no-bake bars do require "setting" time, we recommend making this treat the night before so that they're ready for you to grab in the morning. The perfect low-maintenance snack, these bars are a fun way to get the entire family involved. Invite your kiddos into the kitchen to help with the granola-making process, and make it a learning experience while you're at it. Cooking is an excellent time to teach your little ones about wholesome foods. Whether they help pack the ingredients together or choose their favorite add-ins, they'll enjoy being a part of the process.
Chocolate Amaranth Protein Bars
For the ideal no-bake granola bar recipe, make these Chocolate Amaranth Protein Bars. The best kind of "Krispie" treat, these puffed amaranth bars create a fun texture to bite into. Loaded with flavor, texture and nutrition, they're a snack that will keep you fueled on all of your daily adventures.
Now that you know more about the different types of snack bars, it's time to hit the kitchen! Choose one of the recipes on this list, or use a few of the healthy ingredients listed above to create your own. We can't wait to see all of the unique bars that you come up with! From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, have a happy and healthy day!
