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When Patsy tweeted that she was “gathering healthy munchies for our road trip”, I responded, vivaciously and enthusiastically.

“YES.  ME TOO!”

(Capital letters plus exclamation mark = vivacity and enthusiasm.  Math according to Twitter.)

Then I happened to glance at my kitchen table.  Oats.  Dried pineapple.  Crystallized ginger.  And chocolate.

Okay, so maybe I got a little teensy weensy bit caught up in the moment.

I tweeted her and Cate back, in all lowercase letters, saying “uh. moderately healthy.”

Don’t look at me like that.  OATS, people!  OATS!  These are cholesterol-lowering granola bars!  (No, I do not have my medical degree yet, why do you ask?)

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Okay FINE.  Moderately healthi-ER than their leading granola bar counterpart (cough Quaker chewy bars cough).  You don’t even want to see that ingredient list.  (But if you do, here’s the link.)

And way more filling.  I know because we ate them for dinner.

(Long story.  I’ll tell it eventually, when it’s less raw and emotionally charged.)

(Probably Friday.)

So basically, what I mean to say that these are an every meal, every hour of every day kind of (moderately) healthy snack.  Dense, thick, chewy, and bursting at the seams with pineapple ginger deliciousness, you’ll never waste your time, money, or calories on a subpar granola snack ever again.  I swear it.

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Pineapple Ginger Granola Bars
Makes 12, adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/3 plus 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup dried pineapple, chopped
  • 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Stir in the oats, making sure that it is evenly mixed and all of the oats are moistened.  Stir in the hazelnuts, pineapple, ginger, and chocolate.
  3. Turn the mixture into the baking pan and press into the pan, making sure it is evenly distributed and tightly packed.
  4. Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool in the freezer until the bars are firm, at least 1 hour.  Remove from the pan and cut into bars.  Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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107 Responses to Pineapple Ginger Granola Bars

  1. They look absolutely wonderful and your photos are at the level of professional!

  2. These do look perfect for a road trip snack…. or dinner! And definitely a massive improvement to quaker.

  3. I’m on a huge granola kick lately! These look wonderful. 🙂

  4. “Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.” I wonder if they will last a week, I very much doubt it!

  5. Sam says:

    These look fantastic! I work at a nut free school, so I’ve been making my own for a while. These will definitely have to be in the rotation (sadly sans hazelnuts, but I’m sure sunflower seeds, pepitas or soynuts would be a reasonable substitute).

  6. Lora says:

    Now this is my kind of granola bar. Love the ginger/pineapple combo. Yum!

  7. i am so glad you posted this. I need a new granola bar recipe for my hubs. I make them so he can just grab some on his way to work in the morning and these look just perfect! Love the pineapple and ginger combo!

  8. Adrienne says:

    These look awesome. Chewy granola bars can suck it!

  9. OohLookBel says:

    Oh, YUM! I adore crystallised ginger and pineapple, too. This recipe has much deliciousness with a hint of healthy =)

  10. Faith says:

    Anything with oats is healthy in my book, lol! I’ve been wanting to make homemade granola bars for a while now, so I’d really love to give your bars a try. They look perfect!

  11. Marisa says:

    Wow, those flavours sound gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!

  12. I can’t wait to replace my kids’ granola “bars” with these. Twitter math:quotes can = sarcasm. Please note.

  13. Elizabeth says:

    Kudos (ha, like the granola bar) to you for coming up with such an original granola bar. I love ginger and chocolate together.

  14. Dawn says:

    Wow. That looks simply amazing. I might have to make something similar as I have everything but the pineapple and the hazelnuts!

  15. megcjones says:

    eh, who cares if they’re REALLY healthy or not – these look delicious!

  16. Rachana says:

    They look absolutely lovely!!! I love the ginger-pineapple combo 🙂

  17. Yum, sounds fab! Love that you used applesauce. The pineapple chucks and ginger are a wonderful addition sounds healthy and delicious! Beautiful post, Joanne!

    Tammy?

  18. Ooooh this looks awesome! I make granola A LOT but haven’t gone the bar route as of yet.

  19. Courtney says:

    oh yummy! i might have to go make a version of these very soon..like when i am finished with the computer!

  20. Eden says:

    Rumor has it your going to foodbuzz. I need to gossip with yoou about this. And you also have to be my date.

    And I want you on my next road trip.

  21. Victoria says:

    I believe chocolate always belongs in granola bars… and trail mix. Dark chocolate is healthy you know 😉 These look WAY better than any granola bar I’ve ever had. Will have to try these maybe as a snack for my next road or plane trip!

  22. I cannot imagine how much BETTER these homemade, fresh, chewy granola bars than the dry packaged ‘things’ in the market….which totally turn me off. You’ve shared a super recipe that fills a big hole in the food blog world! Thanks Joanne!

  23. We are guilty of consuming granola bars with a long ingredient list, but you’re inspiring me to make a change and make our own . . . at least once. =)

  24. Lyndsey says:

    Your bars look packed with flavor and goodness! So good! I have made granola with ginger and love it. Lately I’ve been into making granola bars, three times so far and a different recipe each time. The last one was cherry, raspberry, pumpkin,sesame and sunflowers seeds, and almonds. This is different with applesauce, yum. I am trying to get one not as sweet that will stay together fairly well. I like that we can control what is in our bars!

  25. I’d say those are definitely healthier and tastier than most road trip food that I bring, which usually consists of gummy bears and snickers. And I love gummy bears and snickers. I’m a huge crystallized ginger fan, so you pretty much had me at hello.

  26. That Girl says:

    Oatmeal bars are on the top of my “to make when done unpacking” list.

  27. They may not be the healthiest of snack but who cares when I can guarantee that they are a 100 times better than any food you would otherwise pick up along the side of the highway on a road trip. They look delicious. Pineapple and ginger are a match made in heaven.

  28. Hannah says:

    Looks plenty healthy if you ask me, especially compared to half of the candy bars masquerading as healthy energy bars on the market. Love the addition of pineapple, that’s not one I often think of for granola.

  29. Miriam says:

    I am officially in love with this recipe :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  30. i loveeee granola bars (and i love eating homemade granola bars for breakfast with coffee and yogurt!). and this is perfect: the honey, ginger, pineapple?! tropical and so so flavorful. i can taste it in my mouth already.

  31. Cam says:

    i love granola. these look wonderful. seriously, you are far too talented!

  32. Cara says:

    nicely done, I like that they use plenty of applesauce!

  33. Fantastic bars without added sugar!Bookmarked…

  34. Danielle says:

    I love anything with oats – its a strange obsession I know.

  35. MM says:

    First, the fact that you made snacks for a roadtrip means you are really good.

    Second, the fact that you made this as a roadtrip snack means you are really too good to be true!

    And btw, “math according to Twitter” is priceless!

  36. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, You can never have too much enthusiasm!!! That is what is lacking in this world!! Your enthusiasm is honorable, embrace it. The granola bars have my favorite ingredients, especially the ginger. I love ginger. Enjoy and Blessings, Catherine xo

  37. I never thought a granola bar could gather much enthusiasm. But. Yours made me want to lick the screen – Healthy or not.

  38. Candace says:

    I have been hoping to see this recipe since I saw that the food bloggers got together for a road trip and ate granola bars. I knew they had to be good. You definitely did not disappoint. Those are way healthier than their heavily processed counterparts! “Pin-worthy”, I say!

  39. Amy says:

    So, YOU’RE what’s been missing on my last few road trips. I need no further convincing. I’m in. Store bought granola bars don’t even hold a candle to the homemde variety. And good call on the chewy.

  40. Yum! And I think these are way healthier because you know what’s in them. You’re right, that ingredient list is horrible. So while they may not be the healthiest of eats, in comparison to what often is consumed for a snack (or dinner in your case), they are much better. I’d love to make them!

  41. I am not going to click on your link because I eat Quaker granola bars. It’s like hotdogs. I don’t want to know.

    These look stupendous!

  42. Yum, love it, specially the addition of pineapple pieces in it 🙂

  43. And these must taste 100 times better than Quakers’ too! Love the ingredients in these.

  44. girlichef says:

    I would eat these any time!! In a boat, on a goat, in a house, with a mouse…fantastic. Those close-ups are so sexy. Oh ginger, how do I love thee? ;P

  45. daphne says:

    applesauce hey.. no butter! That’s awesome!

  46. Perfect healthy snack 😉 perhaps we can dip them in chocolate?

  47. Julie says:

    YUM! I love gathering snacks for a road trip. Although I must admit mine aren’t always healthy. Hope you’re off to somewhere fun.

  48. teresa says:

    oh my gosh, i want one of those so bad! i love all of those delicious chunks of goodness, delicious!

  49. tinytearoom says:

    I’ve always wanted to make my own granola bars. thank you for the inspiration.

  50. Who cares if they’re healthy, I want 100 of these bars ASAP. Looks amazing, I love crystallized ginger!!

  51. Shannon says:

    been meaning to get into the habit of making granola bars more often… these are amazing. love everything you put in there, and yes, they’re totally healthy 🙂

  52. Some members of my household insist on buying quaker granola bars in spite of my willingness to make them lovely healthy bars. Maybe this will convert them.

  53. Pam says:

    Awesome flavor combination! Oats make them healthy… That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

  54. tigerfish says:

    I would love to bring them along in any of my road trips too! I still pack store-bought granola bars on my road trip. :O

  55. I am loving all that applesauce goodness, Joanne! And the pineapple ginger combo sounds divine. 🙂

  56. These look terrific with the combination of crystallized ginger, pineapple, hazelnut and chocolate, awesome!

  57. Healthier than my snacks…(chips, chips, and more chips, oh, and chocolate)

  58. A family favorite for pineapple lovers,this is a must try!I used fresh pineapples,the idea of combining the ginger,pineapple hazelnuts,very good!

  59. Oh these just look beyond awesome!! They really do look so delicious and I am keeping this recipe to make and give as gifts! I know several people who would also love these as much as me!!

  60. El says:

    These look sensational. I can’t wait to try them!

  61. I will definitely buy the healthy label. Oats and dried fruit. Um, winning. I love it!

  62. Corina says:

    These look lovely. It’s a long time since I made any of these type of bars but these are definitely making me want to have another go at them.

  63. Barbara says:

    These wouldn’t last very long at my house, Joanne! Bet they’re chewy too. Great recipe!

  64. debbie says:

    Joanne I love these and now I have to make them too! So delicious……

  65. Just the name makes it healthy! Happy trails to you.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  66. These look magnificent! I could see this being my breakfast each morning. 🙂

  67. Viv says:

    def much much healthier than the ones u get some the supermarket 🙂 the bars look great and interesting that u used the apple sauce to bind it all together! smart!
    initially when i saw the title of the post…i was super excited coz i happen to have one pineapple and fresh ginger in my fridge! now im still looking for ways to indulge them…

  68. Kj says:

    I love your blog because you think of things that I would never think of! I am a granola bar fanatic and these sound amazing! The pineapple and ginger….oh Yum!

  69. What glorious bars! I really like that addition of pineapple. Yummy.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  70. These must be the best granola bars EVER. Why don’t all granola bars have pineapple in them?? Why?? You need to box these up and market them!

    Sues

  71. Shu Han says:

    oh come on, how can all that be unhealthy for you 😉 i say anything made with real food is 100x better than any packaged processed “health food” bar out there.

  72. These look fantastic, Joanne. Seriously, these might be the best looking bars I’ve seen yet. I’ve never used applesauce in granola before. This I need to try. Thanks!

  73. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    Love these granola bars! The addition of pineapple makes me really happy 🙂

  74. Jeanette says:

    These look fantastic – will have to keep them in my recipe box for a treat for my kids when school starts!

  75. Yummmmm!!! These look and sound amazing! I wish I had some dried fruit in the house so I could make them for breakfast! 🙂

  76. They look incredible! So yummy!

    ?
    Camila Faria

  77. Ha ha , am waiting for part 2 of the story , to me they still look healthy and WAM (wait a minute ) i think u got all low GI stuff in there (i love to believe i can eat all the low GI food i want and not put on weight and specially since am loosing all that extra weit i put on i believe in it some more, lol), so its way way healthy!
    Ginger and white chocolate and oats …yummmm!

  78. I love those clicks, and those bars even more! Can’t wait to read your Friday story!

  79. Allison says:

    With ginger and pineapple as the combo I wouldn’t be able to stop eating this healthy snack. Oh my YUM!

  80. Kristen says:

    Now I think I need to go out to my kitchen and make some granola bars!

  81. Wow-these look delicious! Finally-a granola bar that doesn’t contain butter & brown sugar! Thanks a million for a real healthy bar 🙂

  82. They look amazing! I’d totally eat them for dinner too… Oats are pretty fantastic!

  83. They look amazing! I’d totally eat them for dinner too… Oats are pretty fantastic!

  84. Peggy says:

    O.M.G. these are definitely every kind of meal kind of bars! I really want one right now and I may just have to throw a temper tantrum because I can’t have one right away =)

  85. kankana says:

    The pineapple and ginger combination always rocks for me. This would taste great!

  86. Carolyn Jung says:

    These look WAY better than any store-bought ones. Love the pineapple in ’em.

  87. Everything in there is healthy 🙂 These look so good!

  88. These look so so good that road trip or not I want them! How about for a little trip to the pool?

  89. sophia says:

    Actually they’re 5 times healthier than the granola bars I know! Chocolate IS healthy, my friend. It keeps the stress level low– no amount of broccoli can do that!

  90. Beth says:

    These sound delicious, and moderately healthy. Amazing!

  91. Natalie says:

    i am ALL aboard the homemade granola bar train!…haven’t tried a flavor anything like this yet but now i must–ginger anything is my fave!

  92. Reeni says:

    You’re always inspiring me! I haven’t had a granola bar in so long – I used to practically live off the store bought ones. When I look at the ingredient lists now I cringe. Just the fact these are homemade make them 100x better! I see some in my future.

  93. polwig says:

    These look amazing and great for road trips and purses. I hope you made it to your destination.

  94. Awesome. Granola bars can be whatever you want them to be, and a spicy sweet combination of pineapple and ginger works. It totally works.

  95. Kelly says:

    GOR-GI. Love the ingredients you are using here – bursting with whole goodness – also love that your primary sweeteners are honey and natural fruit. The bars are stunning too!

  96. Nicole, RD says:

    Wow, these look INCREDIBLE!

  97. Chris says:

    Can you make me a double order to use for fuel while cycling? 😉

  98. these look delish! i can’t wait to try them 🙂

  99. grace says:

    this is a super unique blend of granola bar ingredients! frankly, i could eat dried pineapple by the bucketload, and that’s bad because the stuff to which i’m referring is LOADED with sugar. maybe something like this could help me keep things in moderation. 🙂

  100. Deborah says:

    I was just having a craving for homemade granola bars. I’m pretty sure these would cure that craving!!

  101. Pineapple and ginger is a perfect combination and chocolate chunks only add to the perfection. Great “road food” especially if you have to eat them for dinner. 😉

  102. Patsyk says:

    Those granola bars were so yummy! I know I was thrilled that you brought them on the trip since our dinner that night was a total bust!

  103. I love that you made your own road food – and I am all for homemade granola bars! Looks delish, any time of day. ?

  104. Making these! probably tonight.

  105. Love the sound of the pineapple in these!

  106. […] you see why three food bloggers went to Boston and ended up eating granola bars for […]

  107. […] Sarah’s Cucina Bella is another great granola bar alternative. And lastly, Joanne made these Pineapple Ginger Granola Bars for our foodie road trip a few years ago, good […]

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