Courtney Johnson . Apr 24 . 3 years ago Share Post

Healthy Trail Mix Granola Bars

@cokocooks

Trail Mix was always one of favorite snacks growing up. My mom didn’t really keep it around the house so my sister and I usually ate it at friends or when we had volleyball tournaments. I would always pick out the almonds, cashews, and M&Ms, and leave the peanuts and raisins for anyone else who would be crazy to eat those. Everyone always has their favorite ingredients in trail mix and the rest is typically just left in the bottom of the bag to end up in the pantry or trash. I decided to make these healthy trail mix granola bars to try and incorporate the ingredients that everyone tends to pick around. For me it was the peanuts and raisins, but you can switch it up according to what you have left over.

Ingredients for trail mix granola bars

Ingredients in the Trail Mix Bars

These bars start with some nut butter. Since I had many leftover nuts in the trail mix, especially peanuts in my case, I made homeade nut butter with a little cinnamon and a few raisins. It was essentially a cinnamon raisin nut butter. The best part is all you have to do is throw the remaining nuts in a food processor and blend to make the butter. Use whatever you don’t like in the mix, and I promise it turns out amazing every time. This nut butter will make a delicious base to the granola bars.

Healthy Trail Mix Granola Bars before cutting

Next up is the bulk of the bar which are rolled oats. They absorb all the ingredients and give the bars that well known granola bar chew. Added to the oats is some ground flaxseed for a little more nutritional boost and to bind the bars together. To sweeten these trail mix bars up is a drizzle of honey. Honey is one of my favorite natural sweeteners and the stickiness helps the bars stick together. Last but not least is another pinch of cinnamon as well as any additional raisins and chocolate you may have left in the trail mix. That will also just give the bars a little more texture while of course adding to the classic granola flavor.

Close up of a healthy trail mix granola bar

These healthy trail mix bars have become one of my new favorite snacks. They would be the best to bring on a road trip, skiing, or hiking for a sweet little energy boost. Kids will absolutely love these bars and you don’t have to worry about wasting any more trail mix. Even if you eat everything in trail mix, I would still grab all the ingredients and give these a try. They are will provide lots of energy and have the perfect sweet and salty balance. Be sure to give this a try ASAP especially for any upcoming summer vacations. For another delicious sweet and salty treat be sure to give my vegan peanut butter Oreos a try.

Trail Mix Granola Bar cut in half

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Trail Mix Bars

A easy bar to use up any leftover trail mix you may have on hand

Prep Time 20

Servings

Calories 279kcal

Ingredients

1 cup homeade peanut butter see cinnamon raisin nut butter
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups rolled oats
optional raisins

Cinnamon raisin peanut butter

2 cups roasted nuts of your choice or leftover from the trail mix
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4-1/2 cup raisins

Instructions

If making the cinnamon raisin nut butter, which I highly advise, blend the nuts and cinnamon in a food processor for 5-10 minutes until smooth scraping the sides occasionally .
Pulse in the raisins and pour into a jar
In a large bowl add all the ingredients together and mix till evenly combined. I find it easiest to use my hands. Then fold in optional raisins. You could also add chocolate.
Grease a loaf pan and press the mixture into the loaf pan
Let set in the fridge for a couple hours or freezer for about 20 minutes to set. Then slice into 10 pieces and ready to eat.