Apple Cheddar Potato Chewy Granola Bars

A cheddar cheese topping gives these granola bars immediate kid appeal. However, adults will love them, too, with their winning flavor combination of Idaho® potato, apple, and cheddar. Unlike traditional granola bars, these bars are baked twice (like biscotti) to crisp up their edges.

This is also a great recipe if you're wondering what to do what that little bit of leftover mashed potatoes. 

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium-sized Idaho® potato
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • ½ cup roughly chopped pecans
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Place the potato in a small saucepan on high heat. Add enough cold water to cover the top of the potato.
  2. Once the water boils, reduce heat to medium low and cover. Cook the potato in lightly boiling water until tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Drain the water. 
  4. Once the potato is cool enough to touch, peel the skin off. It should come off easily.
  5. Mash the potato with a potato masher or in a food processor.
  6. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  7. Stir together ¾ cup of the mashed potato (use the rest however you wish), applesauce, butter, brown sugar, rolled oats, and pecans in a large bowl until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  8. Press the mixture into an 8” square pan lined with parchment paper.
  9. Bake for 30 minutes or until the oats on top are crispy. 
  10. Remove from the oven and evenly distribute shredded cheese over the pan. Return to the oven for another five minutes. The cheese should be evenly melted.
  11. Cool to room temperature.
  12. Remove the uncut bars from the pan and cut into 12 bars.
  13. Place the bars on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for another 25 minutes or until the sides of the bars crisp up.
  14. Eat immediately or store loosely covered for up to three days.
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Yield: 12 granola bars

Source:
Stefani Pollack
Food Blogger
Cupcake Project

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