Tropical Granola Bars

I wasn't going to post this since it's just a slight variation of my usual granola but I was tickled with the fruit mix of pineapple, mango, and papaya.  I wasn't sure I would like it, but it's quite yummy.  It is hard to go wrong with granola though...ehehehe.


Tropical Granola Bars

2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts
3/4 cup wheat germ
3/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
2 tbls tub margarine
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup dried, diced pineapple, papaya, and mango

Pour your peanuts in a 9x13 pan. Crush them up a bit with the bottom of a cup, or whatever you have handy for crushing purposes. Add wheat germ, oats, and sunflower seeds and mix everything together. Pop pan into the oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees for a quick toast. Stir the ingredients in the pan a couple times just to make sure nothing gets overdone. When the 10 minutes are up turn off oven and pour the toasted mixture into a mixing bowl. Stir in the diced fruit. Set aside.

In a saucepan mix together the honey, margarine, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly. Bring mixture to a boil and then continue to cook for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and pour over the mixture you just set aside. Mix until everything is well combined. Spray a 9x13 pan and pour the granola spreading it out evenly. With a piece of wax paper protecting your hand press down firmly to compact the granola. Toss the wax paper when your done. Let cool before turning out granola on a board for cutting. Makes 20 pieces.


Another pic of the granola....

Mental note....do not pile granola up on a plate without some dividers.  ;)  I was a little pressed for space though at the time so I didn't consider I'd have to pry my granola apart a bit later.  Happily though granola is sturdy.