Five Ways to Jazz Up a Chewy Granola Bar

Chewy granola bars can be a tasty snack on a day when you don't have time to make something more elaborate. It's so easy to peel back the crisp plastic wrapper and bite into the sweet, chewy goodness. But, on a day when you have a little more time to experiment, why not try a few bolder interpretations of the traditional granola bar? Beware! These ideas are not for the calorie counter or the under indulgent. Count these ideas as a splurge and you won't have to feel so guilty. Here are some unique ways to jazz up that store bought chewy granola bar:

Jazz up a chewy granola bar: Deep fry it.

This won't win any points for health and certainly shouldn't be a part of your daily eating plan but if you feel like trying something a bit off the wall, consider giving that granola bar a swim in the deep fryer. To deep fry a granola bar, combine egg, milk, and vegetable oil into a bowl. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together to create batter. Place this in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. Meanwhile, place your granola bar in the freezer until almost frozen. Heat around five cups of oil to around 375 degrees. After dipping the cold candy bar in the batter, drop into the oil until golden brown. (Look for a full recipe in a future article).

Jazz up a chewy granola bar: Enhance it with maple syrup.

For a deliciously decadent creation, place a granola bar into the microwave or oven until warm. In a separate container, heat up some old fashioned maple syrup. Pour the warm maple syrup over the granola bar and top with chopped walnuts. Spray with a light spritz of whipped cream. You'll want to eat this sweet, gooey delicacy with a fork and then use a spoon to get every last drop.

Jazz up a chewy granola bar: Spread on some jelly.

Why save your jelly and jam for boring and uninspiring toast? Heat up a granola bar in the microwave and spread with a layer of fresh, fruit jelly or jam along the length of the bar. If you're feeling like you really deserve a splurge, add a thin coat of real butter before applying the jelly. Close your eyes and taste the goodness.