Granola Bars

Ingredients

2 cups quick oats

1 ½ cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup honey (or light corn syrup for more “store-bought” texture)

¼ cup unsalted butter

½ tsp vanilla extract

⅛ tsp salt

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Prep the pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine oats and crispy rice cereal.

3. Heat the syrup:

• In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, and butter.

• Heat over medium, stirring until melted and just starting to bubble.

• Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt.

4. Combine:

• Immediately pour syrup mixture over the oats and cereal. Mix well.

5. Add chips:

Let it cool slightly (so chocolate doesn’t melt), then fold in mini chocolate chips OR press them gently on top after pressing into the pan.

6. Press & set:

Press the mixture firmly into your prepared pan. (Use the bottom of a greased measuring cup for even pressure.)

Refrigerate for 1–2 hours until firm, then cut into bars.

Notes

Use quick oats instead of rolled oats.

Use light corn syrup instead of honey if you want a more flexible, chewy texture (closer to Quaker's commercial bars).

Mini chocolate chips stick better and distribute more evenly.

Press really firmly so bars hold together without crumbling.