What Snacks Power Planting?
With planting season underway in many parts of the U.S., farmers are working long, hard hours. You’re likely enjoying meals in the field, but what’s your favorite snack to power your day?
The Farm Journal Pulse survey asked farmers just that—what’s your favorite planting snack. Granola bars won by a landslide, topping the list for 27% of the respondents. Beef jerky and chips/peanuts tied for second at 22%. Sugary snacks were at the bottom of the list with candy bars voted a favorite snack by 15% and cookies by only 14%.
Because granola bars were crown the winning snack, here’s recipe to give you the fuel you need.
Easy homemade granola bars
Granola bars are cheap but there’s something so much better about making them at home (for me, it’s extra chocolate!). I use these to fuel my long runs, but they’re really just a great snack for anything and don’t take long to make.
- 2 cups oats (I use steel cut)
- ¼ cup honey or corn syrup (honey is a chewier texture)
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾-1 cup mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or raisins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place oats and chopped nuts onto an oven-safe pan. Roast for 10 minutes to a golden-brown. Be careful not to burn the nuts and allow the dry mix to cool.
In a large saucepan melt the butter, sugar, honey/corn syrup and salt until sugar granules have melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cools, mix in vanilla and add syrup to oat and nut mixture. After the big mix has cooled slightly add chocolate and other mix-ins (the chocolate will probably melt a little and that’s ok).
Finally, add mix to a 9X9 or 9X13 greased, parchment paper-lined pan. Flatten the mix and add chocolate or other mix-ins on top. Place in fridge for 2-3 hours. After cooling, remove and cut into bars, place in sandwich bag or wrap in parchment paper. Will keep 3-4 days unrefrigerated and up to two weeks in the fridge.
