Homemade snacks more affordable and healthier: home economist

Home economist Jodie Kachkar shares tips for keeping lunchbox costs low as food prices continue to increase.

As food costs soar, a local home economist said making homemade snacks such as granola bars and yogurt can save you some money and help you avoid additives.

Jodie Kachkar said her homemade Rice Krispie Treats cost about $0.33 per bar while the ones from the store cost about $0.36 per bar.

She acknowledged while the savings may seem small, every little bit helps.

“If you buy them for every child for every day at school that three cents will add up,” she said during an interview segment on CTV Morning Live.

Kachkar said the treats are very easy to make and only take about 10 minutes.

She said it’s helpful to have a clean bowl of water nearby, to dip your hands in, while working with sticky foods such as marshmallows or rice.

Making homemade granola bars can also save you some money and are a great option for allergies, said Kachkar.

By controlling the ingredients, you can also control the cost, she said.

“Chocolate is very expensive right now. I used chocolate chips because that is what I had but if I had used candy-coated something or left them out, it would have been far less expensive.”

Kachkar said it took her about 30 minutes to make 16 treats for about $0.52 a bar.

She said we are also at the tipping point where homemade yogurt has become more affordable than store-bought.

It may sound daunting but she said it’s not hard to make yogurt from scratch.

“Basically you heat up milk to a temperature, so you need a thermometer, then you’re going to cool it down to a temperature, culture it with your already made yogurt and let it sit warm overnight.”

Options to consider as costs continue to rise.

Jodie’s Rice Krispie Squares recipe

This is an amalgamation of a few different recipes. I prefer to measure in weights (it’s more accurate and easier) but I’ve included measures in cups as well

• 8 Tbsp (60g) butter or margarine
• 1 340g-400g bag of mini marshmallows
• 6 cups (160g) Rice Krispies cereal

1. Prepare a square baking pan (8x8 or 9x9) - grease or spray with cooking spray

2. In a large pot (you need to be able to mix everything together), melt the butter or margarine

3. Once melted and foaming, add in the marshmallows and melt on med-low heat until fully melted. Stir continually at this stage. Use a spatula for easier clean up.

4. Once fully melted turn off the heat and immediately stir in the cereal. Mix quickly until fully coated. Press into pan and allow to set. Cut into squares and wrap/package.

5. Will keep for 4-5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

Choose your own Adventure Granola Bars - Adapted from Molly Yeh

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup (128g) tahini (could use peanut butter or some other nut butter if nuts aren’t an issue)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 31/2 cups (280g) quick cooking oats
• 3 Tbsp (45g) flax seeds or a mix of different seeds (OPTIONAL)
• 1 cup (27g) Rice Krispie cereal
• 3/4 cup (120g) chocolate chips or candy coated chocolates (OPTIONAL)
• Dried Fruit (chopped into pieces, start with 1/2 cup) OPTIONAL

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a square baking pan (8x8 or 9x9) with tinfoil (pressing it into corners) and spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. In a large mixing bowl stir together the confessed milk, tahini, vanilla and salt. Once combined, add in the other ingredients. Mix to combine.

3. Scrape into a baking dish and spread out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.

4. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then remove to a rack to cool completely. Cut into bars and store.

5. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.