If you grew up in the Midwest like me, you have probably encountered one of my favorite sweet treats: scotcharoos. These are bars made with crisped rice and peanut butter, topped with chocolate. I always deviated from the original recipe, which called for corn syrup, and used maple syrup instead, giving them even more flavor. While I still love scotcharoos, they are not something I eat on a regular basis these days. I wanted to find a way to bring those same flavors into something more MIND-Diet compliant. So here is my Maple Scotcharoo Granola: a brain-healthy take on one of my favorite Midwestern treats. (Thanks to Gimme Some Oven for the inspo recipe.)
Maple Scotcharoo Granola features nuts and oats, which are both MIND Diet keystone foods. Be sure to use natural peanut butter that requires stirring in this recipe. Confirm that the peanut butter only contains peanuts (and maybe salt) by checking the ingredients list on the back of the jar. No-stir natural peanut butter often contains palm oil or other additives. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips to develop this recipe in order to stay true to scotcharoo flavors, but you could substitute dark chocolate chunks for even more brain-healthy flavanols.
An easy recipe that could be made with kids or your loved one with dementia, Maple Scotcharoo Granola is great as part of breakfast or as a brain-healthy snack. I especially love it paired with an apple or with pretty scenery on a hike. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Maple Scotcharoo Granola
Notes
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2/3 cup peanuts
- 1/3 cup natural smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Instructions
- Heat oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine oats and peanuts in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup, avocado oil, vanilla, and salt. Heat until warm (in microwave for 20-30 seconds or over medium heat for 3-4 minutes). Do not allow mixture to bubble. Stir until smooth.
- Add the peanut butter mixture to the oats and stir until combined. Spread the granola out evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until granola is golden brown, about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Ensure the granola doesn’t burn.
- Remove granola from oven and let cool until it reaches room temperature. Stir in chocolate chips. Serve, or store at room temperature in air-tight container.
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