Granular layer

Granola Bar

A granola bar is a type of snack bar that is typically made from granola, which is a mixture of oats, honey, and other ingredients such as nuts and dried fruit. Granola bars are often consumed as a breakfast food or a snack due to their high fiber and protein content, which can provide sustained energy throughout the day.

History

The granola bar was first created in the late 19th century by Dr. James Caleb Jackson, a health enthusiast and the proprietor of the Our Home on the Hillside health retreat in Dansville, New York. Jackson baked a mixture of oatmeal and water into a solid cake, which he called "granula". The modern granola bar, however, is more closely related to the invention of granola in the 1960s by the Pet Milk Company.

Ingredients and Varieties

The primary ingredient in a granola bar is granola, which is made by baking a mixture of oats, sweeteners such as honey or brown sugar, and fats such as vegetable oil or butter. Other common ingredients include nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, and seeds such as flax seeds or sunflower seeds.

There are many varieties of granola bars, including chewy granola bars, crunchy granola bars, and protein granola bars. Some granola bars are coated in yogurt or chocolate, while others are made with gluten-free or vegan ingredients.

Nutrition

Granola bars are often marketed as a healthy snack option, but their nutritional value can vary widely depending on the ingredients used. Most granola bars are high in fiber and protein, which can help to keep you feeling full. However, they can also be high in calories, sugar, and fat, especially if they contain large amounts of sweeteners or high-fat ingredients such as chocolate or nuts.

See Also

• List of breakfast foods
• List of snack foods
• Energy bar
• Cereal bar