Food Swap: Homemade Nature Valley Bars!

by Nicole on September 1, 2011

Hello September! September means back to school and although I’m not going back to school in the same way, I’m still helping people prepare for back to school. What better way to celebrate back to school then with a snack you and your kids can pack in your lunch boxes?

You probably already know this, but I’ll tell you anyways – theme of my life: Out with the processed foods and in the with healthy, fresh, REAL food.

Part of my job that I am in love with (besides all of it) is getting people to swap out their packaged processed food for fresh, real foods with ingredients you can recognize. That IS, after all, my whole philosophy & mantra behind Pure Bliss Eats.

When one of my client’s kids shared with me that she loved the Nature Valley Oats and Dark Chocolate bars, I knew I had a mission to make a homemade EASY version of it. While Nature Valley bars are not the worst of the worst, it still has some iffy ingredients in it, like “natural flavor” (what?!), 3 types of sweeteners (sugar, honey, brown sugar syrup) and 2 types of flour (soy flour and corn flour).

I quickly got to work making a healthy, homemade version. My requirements for this were: soy free, low sugar, whole grain, animal free. Check, check, check, check. Oh and delicious, obviously.

mixed up

rolled out

flipped, baked & done!


These can be eaten for a snack OR breakfast. They are chock full of whole grains, low in gluten & sugar and you can READ all of the ingredients. They are also crunchy like the real (fake) thing. Yum. Whether you are a mom or not, these are a must make!

What’s your favorite swap from a processed packaged food to the real thing?

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Matt @ The Athlete's Plate September 1, 2011 at 9:34 am

Send me some of these :)
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Christine September 1, 2011 at 9:42 am

AHHH DELICIOUS! Bring some for me =]

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Dana September 1, 2011 at 3:32 pm

I love nature valley bars… they’re so crunchy and delicious. I bet your homemade version rocks, because homemade is always better!!
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janetha September 1, 2011 at 3:45 pm

I LOVE Nature’s Path oats & honey bars! They remind me of my childhood. I have to give these a try. I like making a “clean” version of KFC chicken fingers+mac & cheese. That used to be my favorite fast food meal.
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Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect September 1, 2011 at 6:04 pm

These look great! Thanks for sharing the recipe. My boyfriend will love you. He’s addicted to them. I think we have 3 different flavors in the pantry.

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Jeanette September 2, 2011 at 12:07 pm

Love how you recreated these granola bars for your kids! I’ll be making some myself with the school starting.
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Kristina @ spabettie September 2, 2011 at 2:10 pm

those granola bars remind me of childhood! :) thanks for the recipe, I love a crunchy granola bar that is REAL!
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Katie@Real Food Katie's Way September 2, 2011 at 9:18 pm

OoOoO these look delightful!!!

I think my favourite swap is muffins….I absolutely love making my own nutritious muffins over buying them ANY DAY.

I’m trying out a breakfast cookie this weekend and then THAT will be my fav….

I am 100% with you on the REAL food…Well done!
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LizAshlee September 3, 2011 at 9:06 am

Love this recipe!!! I am totally with you on making your own bars!!!

Have a great day!
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kalli September 4, 2011 at 3:56 pm

love this recipe!

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Kelly September 6, 2011 at 8:44 am

I have made homemade poptarts before with REAL fruit filling…awesome!
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