Are you always looking for healthy snacks for work or school? If so, try whipping up a batch of these granola bars!

This recipe is a classic from simplefromscratch.com. With a variety of grains, seeds, and fruit they pack a nutritional punch. This is a fantastic way to make your family affordable snacks using organic, natural ingredients.

There’s only one major drawback to this formula– I limited the amount of sweeteners used which means the bars crumble a bit more easily that commercial granola bars. You can make your granola bars come out firmer by adding a cup of brown sugar to the liquid mixture that is poured over the dry ingredients.

Start making the bars by putting the following ingredients in a sauce pan:
1/2 c. molasses
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. olive oil
2 t. vanilla extract

Place the pan on the stove and bring the ingredients to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to make sure the sugar doesn’t scorch.

While the pan is heating mix the follow ingredients together in a large bowl:

3 c. oats
1 c. wheat germ
1 c. almonds
1/4 c. flax seed
1/2 c. pumpkin seeds
1 c. dried tropical fruit mix (cut into small pieces) or Craisens

Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients and mix in well. Then quickly put the mixture into a 13″ x 9″ pan lined with greased wax paper or tin foil. Pack the mixture down firmly in the pan and back for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cut into bars soon after removing the pan from the oven. Allow the bars to cool and harden for at least a couple hours before removing from the pan.

What are some of your favorite homemade snacks? We’d love to hear about them. Comment below!