My grocery store recently moved the unprocessed wheat bran from the bulk section to the cereal aisle. The downside is it’s now in a box, so it costs a little more. The upside is that the box, which happens to be Hodgson Mill brand, has a bunch of good recipes on the back, including these Bran Granola Bars.
These bars are for bran lovers. If you are just okay with bran and choke it down because it’s good for you, you may not like these. However, if you love really grainy, chewy textured bran muffins and things like that, you’ll be happy. They’re definitely treat-worthy and sweet with the peanut butter, sugar and corn syrup, but the oats, oat bran and especially the wheat bran make the bars quite chewy. If you’re not sure you want to commit to a full 9×13 pan, just halve the recipe and make it in an 8 inch square pan.
- 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup oats
- 1 1/4 cups unprocessed wheat bran
- 1 1/4 cups oat bran
- 1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 inch metal pan with nonstick foil.
- In a mixing bowl, stir together the butter, corn syrup, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Add the oats, wheat bran and oat bran and stir well, then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Press mixture into the lined pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely (this is important). Remove from pan and slice into bars. For chewier bars, put them in the refrigerator.
C L says
January 7, 2013 at 2:31 pmI will definitely make these! They look delicious and simple. Peanut butter, oatmeal and chocolate chips….all in one place…oh boy! 🙂
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
January 7, 2013 at 1:44 pmI have some bran that needs using, and this looks like a fantastic way to use it!
Joe says
January 6, 2013 at 11:22 pmThis looks great! I think I’d do almond butter and Golden Syrup for the corn.
Anna says
January 6, 2013 at 8:16 pmDiane, thanks for the tip! Sorry you couldn’t comment under the Graeter’s post. For some reason the comments were turned off (???).
Sue, let me know what you think! Also, your SIL sounds like an awesome person.
Martha, I’ll check your blog for a review. Love all the healthy recipes.
Martha says
January 6, 2013 at 8:01 pmAnna thanks for this recipe. I love bran so will be trying a half batch soon!
Sue says
January 6, 2013 at 7:09 pmI think my daughter would LOVE these. Thanks for the review!
Couldn’t post this in your previous post but we have fond memories of Graeter’s. My SIL sent some on dry ice when our son had his tonsils out. I’m going to have to try your crockpot pudding cake too. I have a friend who is amused by crock pot desserts and I think she’s on a mission to try them all.
Diane Turley says
January 6, 2013 at 5:00 pmHi,
I wanted to respond to a previous post about Graeters Ice Cream. We moved back to Austin after 14 years in Cincinnati, you must try Graeters Black Raspberry Chip, it was my favorite. I haven’t looked for it in groceries stores here because I am still getting my fill of Amy’s mexican vanilla. But eventually I am sure I will seek it out 🙂