No-Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (Like Quaker, but better!)

My babies LOVE granola bars.  They're like crack for kids.  But they're also highly over-priced for what you get in a little 8 pack box.  That's why granola bars are one of the homemade items that I make on a regular basis here.  And with this recipe, they make up in minutes and last about two weeks.  And even better?  There are no weird additives or funky ingredients in them, so you know exactly what you're feeding your kiddos.  This granola bar recipe is very similar to the Quaker chocolate chip granola bars, but in my opinion, they're tastier and heartier.  Ok, so let's start with what you'll need to make a batch of your own.

No-Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars  (Print Recipe)
(makes 24 bars)

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup pure honey
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 cups quick cooking oats
- 2 cups rice crispies
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 bag milk chocolate chips (or semi-sweet, or white chocolate, or butterscotch, etc. You get   the point)
- Non-stick cooking spray

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the quick oats and rice crispies and toss until combined. Set the mixture to the side and start on the ooey, gooey, sticky part of the granola bars that helps all the ingredients stick together. In a sauce pan on medium-high heat combine the butter, brown sugar and honey.  Heat it until it begins to bubble and then turn the stove down a bit and continue cooking the mixture for 2 minutes. This is a sort of sticky caramel type concoction that is mighty delicious.  Oh, and quick hint: to help the honey pour out easily from your measuring cup, spray a tiny bit of non-stick cooking spray beforehand and when you go to pour the honey into the pot it will slide out effortlessly, without a stitch of trouble! :)

Once the mixture has cooked for two minutes, turn the heat off and add the vanilla, stirring well. After the vanilla is combined with the ooey, gooey deliciousness, pour the mixture into the bowl with the oats and rice crispies and stir together until it's evenly combined. If you're having trouble getting it all mixed together with a spoon or spatula, you can dig in with your hands to get the job done.  This is a good method for when your husband is around and you're into doing little things to keep the flame burning. Simply dig into the warm mixture and then when he walks into the kitchen and asks what you're doing, pull out your hand, lick some of it off of your finger seductively and reply "Saving you money by making sweet sweeeeet homemade granola bars. Want a taste?" and then bat your eyelashes innocently and watch a sly smile spread across his face. Your husband will suddenly become a lover of granola bars, even if he wasn't prior to that moment.  You're welcome. ;)

After the granola is all combined, dump it into a cookie sheet that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Then spray one hand lightly with the cooking spray, rub both hands together, then use your hands to smash down the mixture into the pan until it is nice and compact.  The more smooshed down the better, as that will help the bars stay together once they've cooled. After the mixture is pressed down well, sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the bars and let them sit for a minute or two and then push them down into the granola.  The mixture is still warm, so letting them sit on top a minute or two melts the chocolate just slightly.  That way when you go to push the chocolate chips into the granola, they spread out into the mixture and stick well.  Then when it's cool and the bars are being cut, the chocolate chips stick perfectly into the bars.

I cut the bars after they've cooled and set a bit.  And spreading them into the cookie sheet helps you eyeball and cut out 24 perfectly sized granola bars, just like your kids are used to eating from Mr. Quaker, but better because they're made by Miss Badass, Sexy Baker!  Enjoy!