Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Avocado Tortilla Bowl Recipe
September 16, 2025
Chewy muesli bars (granola bars) Recipe
Extremely chewy, home made muesli bars which can be cheaper, tastier and far more healthy than store-bought. Tastes like a chewy caramel studded with nuts and fruit! Glorious solution to filter random leftover nuts and dried fruit. Need crunchy muesli bars? Head right here!
There’s some issues that I’ll at all times (most likely) purchase from the retailers. Like – potato crisps. And cheezels (I really like ’em! Don’t decide me.😭)
However there’s some issues that I’ll by no means purchase, after discovering how good and simple home made is. Muesli bars presently tops that listing. (That’s granola bars, to these of you within the States!).
I really purchased a field of a well-liked model right here in Australia referred to as Carmen’s so I may do a side-by-side style check, home made vs retailer purchased. The feel is nearly precisely the identical. However the flavour of home made is much superior. Put merely, you’ll be able to style all of the components higher. Additionally, every thing in home made muesli bars is all-natural. No mysterious meals components or preservatives to outlive on grocery store cabinets!
There’s an limitless number of muesli bar flavours obtainable as of late. Nut free, fruit free, chocolate chips, chocolate drizzle! With right this moment’s recipe you’ll be able to customise the flavour to your hearts’ content material.
As for texture – broadly talking, there’s two varieties: chewy and crunchy. We’re making chewy ones. And after I say chewy, I don’t exaggerate. It’s like consuming a chewy caramel – besides you get to really feel smug trigger these muesli bars are good for you.
Doubt me? Right here’s proof of chew:
The mixture of fruit and nuts I’ve used is a copy-cat of Carmen’s traditional fruit & nut muesli bars, a highly regarded model right here in Australia. You’ll be able to actually use any add-ins you need, so long as you stick to three 1/2 cups in complete as that’s how a lot the peanut butter-honey “glue” will maintain collectively.
The glue
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Pure peanut butter (or almond butter) – Totally different to industrial peanut butter unfold as a result of it’s obtained no sugar, salt, preservatives and many others added. It’s 100% peanuts which implies higher peanut flavour and it’s runnier (therefore why it really works higher for issues like satay sauce).
Combine effectively if separated – The absence of stabilisers additionally implies that the oil and peanuts will separate if left within the pantry for ages. Make sure you combine effectively to mix earlier than utilizing. In case your peanut butter has solidified into cement, attempt microwaving briefly to heat (take away the steel lid!) then combine with a butter knife or chopstick. If that also doesn’t work, scrape the oil & peanut cement right into a jug and blitz with a stick blender (carried out that loads of occasions!).
Non-peanut substitute: I believe almond butter is greatest, for flavour and texture. I’ve learn in different granola bar recipes that different nut butters work too.
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Honey – For pure sweetness. Maple syrup also needs to work.
Add-ins
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Rolled oats – not fast oats, simply plain conventional oats.
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Almonds – complete, roasted, unsalted. I like to provide them a really tough chop so it disperses higher.
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Sultanas – or raisins, cranberries or another dried fruit of selection (if utilizing massive items like apricots, counsel chopping).
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Pepitas – as a result of it’s in Carmen’s. Like that it provides some color to all of the brown-ness!
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Sesame seeds – as a result of it’s in Carmen’s.
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Coconut – as a result of it’s in Carmen’s. Use desiccated coconut (ie finely shredded) that’s not sweetened. Flakes can even work however as a result of they’re bigger they received’t disperse as effectively all through (possibly chop or crush in fingers?).
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Cinnamon – just a little contact of cinnamon actually works on this!
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Salt – Only a contact brings out the flavours on this.
I really like that it is a no-bake recipe!
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Combine the add-ins in a microwavable bowl utilizing a wood spoon.
Why microwavable? As a result of the peanut butter glue is kind of thick and if the air is cool or in case you take your time with the blending or in case you take a name out of your good friend mid-mix, the glue could get so thick it’s too onerous to combine. If this occurs, a 20 second microwave will do the trick!
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Combine glue – Put the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over low warmth and blend to mix. Use a rubber spatula and cook dinner, stirring nearly continuously, for five minutes to thicken. Scrape the bottom of the saucepan, getting in across the edges. DO NOT WALK AWAY throughout this step as it might probably catch simply on the bottom.
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Aim – Thick caramel-like combination. It ought to mound like ribbons, as pictured above. Mainly, the thicker the combination, the chewier your muesli bars!
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Instantly pour the combination all throughout the floor of the oats. Use the wood spoon to combine to mix till you’ll be able to now not see dry oats. At first this can appear not possible, however persevere as it’s going to occur! Utilizing stabbing motions and smearing in opposition to the facet of the bowl helps.
If it will get too onerous to stir, microwave for 20 seconds then will probably be a breeze.
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Press – Place a sheet of paper over a 20cm/8″ sq. pan (no have to grease, why create pointless washing up??). Scrape the combination in then press it into the pan utilizing a mix of the wood spatula to unfold it out, then fingers to press it in.
Press firmly however maintain among the floor bumpy slightly than aiming for utterly flat. In case you press actually, actually firmly ie make the floor nearly utterly easy and flat, the bars will probably be very, very chewy. I personally discovered it just a little too chewy, however possibly that’s what you need!
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Refrigerate for two hours to set then minimize into 10 bars. Or 8, if you would like bars just a little bigger than store-bought. Then eat! Effectively, chew. 😂
By no means thought I’d be writing a bit titled as above, however I do have some a couple of sensible issues to share with you on the matter of home made muesli bars!
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Are muesli bars wholesome? This home made one is, being made with all-natural components with no fats or sugar added. Nonetheless, most store-bought ones are usually not. Look carefully on the components listing and also you’ll see sugar and unfamiliar meals components listed.
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Storage – Hermetic container within the fridge retains them contemporary and perky for two weeks. Out of the fridge, the oats soften quicker over time which alters the feel of the muesli bars. However they don’t go off.
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Chilly vs room temp – The muesli bars are firmer / chewier when fridge chilly then soften to store-bought muesli bar degree chewiness at room temperature. I really actually like them chilly, for further chew. As I discussed earlier, it’s like a guilt-free chewy caramel!
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When to eat it – Breakfast on the run or snack! Truthfully, you’d by no means even consider these as “wholesome” as a result of they’re candy and engaging. I minimize them into squares, drizzle with chocolate (see final level) and function a day tea candy deal with.
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Lunchbox shelf life – Simply all day, out of fridge is okay. Fridge storage isn’t about maintaining them food-safe, it’s about maintaining them more energizing for longer.
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Mini choc chips – The choc chips on retailer purchased muesli bars are smaller than those utilized in chocolate chip cookies, they’re mini ones. I discovered them at my native Scoop Wholefoods (Mona Vale, Sydney). these shops the place you assist your self to fruit, nuts, goodies and many others out of tubs?
So as to add them to your muesli bars, press the combination into the pan then let it cool barely else the choc chips will soften. Then scatter the mini choc-chips throughout the floor and use your fingers to press them in. Then refrigerate.
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Chocolate drizzle – You’ll solely want a small amount of chocolate drizzle. I discover it onerous to soften small portions of chocolate in a bowl within the microwave (at all times seizes). I discover the simplest approach is to pop about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (regular ones, this time!) in a small ziplock bag. Seal, microwave for 10 seconds at a time (therapeutic massage to “combine) till melted. Snip nook, drizzle throughout muesli bars.
So, what do you assume? Is that this a very good weekend to rummage by your pantry to spherical up all these leftovers nuts and dried fruit from different recipes to make home made muesli bars?? – Johnsat x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120g) pure natural peanut butter, smooth, or other nut butter (mix oil in well, Note 1)
- 1/2 cup (175 g) honey (Note 2)
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut , unsweetened
- 1/2 cup almonds , very roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix Add-ins – Using a wooden spoon, mix the add-ins in a large microwaveable bowl (just in case, Note 4).
- Glue – Using a rubber spatula, mix the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth. Once combined, turn the stove down to low. As soon as you start seeing little bubbles around the edges, cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly scraping the base, until it is like a very thick caramel (see photos and video in post). You should be able to draw a path across the base and it holds before closing in on itself. DO NOT WALK AWAY, it will catch easily. (Note 5)
- Mix – Immediately pour it all over surface of the oats etc then mix with the wooden spoon. It takes a bit of effort but it does come together eventually. Stabbing and smearing against the wall of the bowl helps. If it gets too thick, microwave for 20 seconds on high to loosen the glue then mix (then it's a breeze!).
- Press – Put a square piece of paper over a 20cm/8" square tin (no need to grease). Drop muesli mix in then spread right into the corners, using a combination of your hands and the wooden spoon. Firmer press = chewier muesli bars.
- Set – Refrigerate 2 hours until firm then cut into 10 bars (cut in half, then each half into 5).
Notes
PRO TIP: Good recipe to use your scales. Measuring honey and peanut butter in cups is a pain in the butt. For the add-ins, put your bowl on the scales and just keep adding to it!
1. Use natural peanut butter which is just 100% peanuts, no salt, no sugar, stabilisers, preservatives etc added, unlike commercial spread. Runnier with a stronger peanut flavour (hence why it’s a must for satay sauce!), and better for you.
Oil and peanut tend to separate if left in pantry for ages so mix until combined before using. Try microwaving (no lid!) to warm then mixing with chopstick or knife. Failing that, scrape everything in a narrow jug and blitz with stick blender.
Non-peanut substitute – I think almond butter is best, for flavour and texture. I’ve read in other granola bar recipes that other nut butters work too.
2. Maple syrup should also work, just make sure it cooks down to the same consistency shown in the recipe video.
3. Add ins: use 3 1/2 cups in total of whatever you want, though I recommend at least 1 cup of oats for substance.
4. Use a microwavable bowl just in case. Why? The glue is quite thick and can be hard to mix in. If it sets a little too much mid-stir, a quick 15 second microwave loosens the glue up again and makes it much easier to mix in. Trust me, I learnt the hard way when I took a call from a friend mid-stir.
5. The glue – The thicker the glue when it comes off the stove, the stronger the bind, the chewier your muesli bars. If you don’t cook it down, the glue won’t be as strong. Your muesli bars will hold together fine but will lack the desirable CHEW!
6. Storage – Keeps for at least 2 weeks in the fridge in an airtight container. They are very hard & chewy when cold so bring to room temp (unless you want some serious chew!).
7. Nutrition per museli bar. One bar is a good breakfast on the run!
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