Recipe: Granola bars

Granola bars are just about the perfect food for a hike or emergency camping rations.  This recipe is a good base recipe to make the crispy kind.  I like the satisfying crunch of these and they are inherently drier than chewy ones, which makes them easier to pack and able to withstand a longer journey without refrigeration.  Like a lot of granola recipes, you can freestyle within the boundaries of the oats, seeds and nuts to create your own flavour.

You will need:

1L / 1qt                 oats
175ml / 6fl oz       slivered almonds
30ml / 2Tbs          sesame seeds
325ml / 11fl oz     corn syrup
25ml / 5tsp           water
20ml / 4tsp           vegetable oil
45ml / 3Tbs          brown sugar

Method:

 - set the oven to 280F / 138C
 - mix all the ingredients well
 - spread out on a paper lined baking sheet (two if you want thin bars)
 - pack the mix into the sheet and make it evenly flat
 - with a palette knife "cut" the bars or whatever shapes you choose
 - bake the bars until golden brown (up to an hour)
 - cool on a rack
 - break the bars off along the cuts you made
 - pack for your hike and go