It seems like lately I am always on the go, which means I am also eating on the go. I know, I know… meals are supposed to be enjoyed at the table but let’s be real, not many of us have that luxury every day or every meal. My rule of thumb is at least one meal a day should be enjoyed at the table, and that usually ends up being dinner. Eating on the run doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy. In fact, it’s so simple to prepare simple snacks before dashing out the door. One of my favorites are these Honey Nut Cereal Bars. Big companies seem to keep adding more and more ingredients to simple food items like cereal bars, that aren’t necessary and that is why I started making my own. These cereal bars are beyond simple to make, plus you’ll know what you’re eating while you are dashing out the door.
Honey Nut O’s, dried cranberries and candy coated sunflower seeds are the main ingredients for these fabulous snack bars. Honey, brown sugar and a little butter bind them together for a no-bake treat that is seriously delicious. The best part about this recipe is that it is flexible. Don’t like or have dried cranberries, use raisins or leave them out completely. Want to add a few nuts? Throw in a handful or so. Have a little trail mix laying around? Toss it in. Pretty much anything goes… which I love, because life should be flexible.
1/4 cup creamy unsalted butter (half of one stick)
1/4 cup honey (light-colored corn syrup may be substituted and will keep the bars firmer at room temp than using honey)
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios (or similar store brand cereal; plain Cheerios may be substituted for a less sweet bar)
1 cup raisins, optional (1 cup honey-roasted peanuts, 1 cup chopped almonds, or 1 cup trail mix may be substituted)
about 1/2 cup chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, optional (I used Trader Joe’s)
pinch sea salt or Kosher salt for sprinkling, optional
*Recipe from Averie Cooks