Peanut Free Granola Bar Challenge
Nov 8 2009 in All Site Articles, Food Allergy News by Ruth LovettSmith
Granola Bars are a perfect snack for kids and adults. They are portable, satisfying and a good substitute for a candy bar on the run.
Unfortunately for the peanut and tree nut allergic–safe granola bars can be hard to come by. If they don’t contain peanut or tree nuts, they are made in a facility that do. Of course there are a handful of companies that make peanut and tree nut free granola bars, but at $1-$2 a piece before shipping we don’t find that price reasonable for a regular lunch box snack.
Quaker makes peanut and tree nut free (with the exception of coconut) granola bars that are reasonably priced. However they are made and available in Canada only. (Peanut Free Planet does sell and ship the Canadian granola bars).
We’ve tried many recipes, but they usually end up with a dry and brittle granola bar that’s super crunchy rather than soft and chewy.
So at Best Allergy Sites we think that the food allergy friendly companies are missing something. If you are reading, are you up for the challenge? Make us a soft, chewy, peanut and tree nut free granola bar that is reasonably priced. We’re sure it will be a big seller and you’ll thank us later.
If you have a perfect granola bar recipe to share let us know. We’ll post it here at Best Allergy Sites and give credit to you and your website or blog.
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Theresa Marie Green said on November 8, 2009
NoNuttin’ Foods introduced granola bars in 2004. They are celebrating their 5 year anniversary and have some sales going on right now. http://www.examiner.com/x-13482-Richmond-Allergies–Parenting-Examiner~y2009m11d7-Nonuttin
Ruth LovettSmith said on November 8, 2009
Thanks Theresa! NoNuttin is a great company and brand. Their granola bars still come in at about $1.25 per before shipping…which isn’t bad. We’d like to see a company try to put out a granola bar that tastes great and comes in under a dollar. Food allergies don’t discriminate and affect people from all walks of life-all income brackets. We’d like to see everyone be able to enjoy safe foods at a reasonable cost.
Jennifer B said on November 10, 2009
Great idea, Ruth! Every once in a while Karen Blue sends prices of peanut free snacks to me for comparison. Those Canadian granola bars are a steal–in Canada!
Ruth LovettSmith said on November 10, 2009
Thanks Jen-they are definitely a steal. I wish Quaker would consider a peanut/tree nut facility here. Or offer those items in the US as well.
Dianne Krupa said on November 10, 2009
Ruth, What a wonderful idea!! I have ordered the Quaker bars from Peanut Free Planet and while they were very good, they are expensive and about half the size of the peanut containing variety at the local grocery store.
Ruth LovettSmith said on November 10, 2009
Thanks Dianne–we’ve never gotten the peanut containing ones so I was not aware the peanut free ones were half the size! Many I need to go back to the kitchen and come up with a reasonably priced alternative! :)
Barrak said on November 10, 2009
Can coconut/almond be used in the recipe since these are technically not tree nuts, just classified by the FDA as such?
thanks! Great idea for a challenge!
Ruth LovettSmith said on November 11, 2009
Hi Barrak, thanks for stopping by. Since many allergists classify almond as a tree nut, and many individuals are allergic–recipes should be almond/tree nut free with the exception of coconut. While it is classified as a tree nut by the FDA–fewer people are allergic. Here is information as to how coconut is classified.
http://www.bestallergysites.com/news/is-coconut-a-tree-nut/
Barrak said on November 11, 2009
Fabulous response Ruth! I have a recipe here:
http://theallergenius.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/granola-bites/#more-245
you can just omit the almonds and add what you like!
Barrak
Barrak said on November 11, 2009
I noticed that there is a chance to sell through Bestallergysites.com- could you tell me more about this opportunity? Thanks so much! You can email me at barrak.alzaid@gmail.com
Ruth LovettSmith said on November 12, 2009
Barrak–we don’t sell products through our website. We are a resource directory of allergy friendly companies and products. I’ve emailed you to clarify. Thanks!
Oh and thanks for the recipe-can’t wait to try it out!
helen said on May 9, 2010
smitten kitchen blog has a soft granola bar recipe. just replace nuts with sunflower seeds or soy. soft and chewy!
Ruth LovettSmith said on May 11, 2010
Thanks Helen! I will ck their recipe out!
Jennifer Larsen said on August 15, 2010
I have used this recipe many times before, and you can do it SO many different ways! If you look into the reviews you’ll also see many different people’s variations which is awesome! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Playgroup-Granola-Bars/Detail.aspx
And they are better than anything I’ve ever tried boughten!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Playgroup Granola Bars:
Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup wheat germ 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup raisins (optional) 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup honey 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 161 | Total Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 9mg
Ruth LovettSmith said on August 23, 2010
Jennifer,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting and for sharing your recipe. I can’t wait to try it!