sweet maple syrup and crunchy pecans are a lovely combination in these healthy granola bars.
3 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 mashed banana
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp maple extract
Combine oats, flax, raisins and pecans in a large bowl. In another bowl mix the remaining ingredients and add them to oat mixture. Stir together until fully combined. Place in a greased 9×12″ baking dish and bake at 350F for 20 minutes (longer if you like them crispy). Cut them into bars while they’re still hot.
I threw these together to take to a friend who just had her third baby. I remember how hard it was to grab a healthy bite to eat when nursing a newborn, so I figured granola bars would be the perfect thing. I’ve made them a couple times since then, changing them slightly each time, and I’m very happy with the resulting recipe. The whole family was happy too; they didn’t last very long at our house at all. Cole says these are ‘sooooo yummy’ and I agree!
My kids like to whine, especially when it comes to the food they eat, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to make tasty and healthy meals for them. Follow along as I share family-friendly recipes and reviews from my picky family members, who I lovingly call “The Whine Critics.” 
