Granola Bars
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Taking a bite into these yummy Granola Bars is like a flavorful adventure of taste, texture, and wholesome goodness! Made with the perfect combination of toasted oats, nuts, dried fruit, and a sprinkle of chocolate chips, all bound together with creamy peanut butter and honey, these bars are the perfect balance of chewy to crunchy!
Easy Homemade Granola Bars
Almost everyone has a soft spot for a well-crafted granola bar! They’re like pocket-sized powerhouses of traditional granola that are perfect for on-the-go. But did you know that you can effortlessly whip up a batch of homemade granola bars that can rival your favorite store-bought brand!? It’s true and remarkably easy, not to mention more cost-effective!
But let me tell you what sets my recipe apart from the rest! Firstly, these bars crafted with a base of oats and almonds with some cranberries and mini chocolate chips, all bound together by peanut butter and honey are truly tasty. Yet, the real secret to this exceptional granola bar lies in the precise ratio of ingredients and toasting of the oats, and this foolproof recipe has that down to a science!
Why You’ll Love This Granola Bars Recipe
- Quick and Easy! You don’t need to be a pastry chef to make chewy granola bars! With just a handful of basic pantry ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can whip up a batch with very little effort.
- Homemade Favorite! Loaded with oats, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, and chocolate chips, these granola bars are the perfect balance of chewiness to crunchiness. This recipe captures what makes these healthy snacks so popular.
- Versatile Recipe! My recipe is just a template! You can easily customize your granola bars to suit your personal taste by using different nut butters and adding some more of your favorite mix-ins like chia seeds or unsweetened coconut.
- Oats – The heart of these granola bars, oats give them a wholesome chewiness.
- Almonds – Add some nutty flavor and texture. Feel free to use any type of nuts you like such as walnuts, peanuts, pecans, or cashews.
- Pepitas – Also known as pumpkin seeds, they add another layer of crunch and a dose of healthy fats. Sunflower seeds are another good option.
- Honey – Used to sweeten the bars and help bind them together with the peanut butter. You can also use other natural sweeteners like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, or agave to make vegan granola bars.
- Butter – Adds a bit of richness and buttery goodness. Always use unsalted butter in baking.
- Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter helps to bind the granola bars. Feel free to use other types of nut butter such as almond butter.
- Dried Cranberries – Gives the bars a little chewy texture and little bursts of sweetness. Raisins, dried blueberries, and dried cherries are all good substitutions.
- Mini Chocolate Chips – A little chocolate just makes everything better!
- Vanilla Extract – A drop of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Salt – Just a pinch balances the sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon – A dash of warm spice ties all the flavors together.
Making homemade healthy granola bars is so easy! Once you have all your ingredients ready, it only takes a few minutes of preparation!
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then line an 8×8 inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving some hanging over 2 of the sides for easy removal.
Next, before you make the bars you want to toast the almonds and oats to make them extra yummy. First, spread them out on a baking sheet. Now, put them in the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted, stirring them from time to time. Then pour the toasted oat mixture into a large bowl.
While the oats are toasting, combine the honey, melted butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Then warm the mixture over medium heat until it’s well combined and smooth.
Now, for the fun part! Add the pepitas and dried cranberries to the oat mixture and toss until well combined. Then pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and stir everything until fully coated.
Next, let the mixture cool for a few minutes, and then stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Once your granola bar mixture is ready, put it into the prepared pan and press it evenly into the pan. Using the bottom of a glass or a spatula can make this step easier. Then put the pan in the fridge and let the granola mixture chill for about 2 hours.
After the granola is set, remove it from the fridge and use the edges of the parchment paper to lift it out of the pan. Then use a sharp knife to cut the granola into bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Add to My Granola Bars?
The sky’s the limit! You can use any type of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or nut butter you like! It’s also possible to add cereals like Rice Krispies to the mixture. Just remember that the ratios of the ingredients need to remain the same.
Why Is My Granola Not Sticking Together?
If your granola mixture isn’t sticking together, your measurements might be off. If you don’t use enough nut butter and honey, the mixture will be too dry to bind together. Also, it’s important to press the mixture down firmly into the pan before chilling.
Are Granola Bars Gluten-Free?
They can be! If you use certified gluten-free oats and ensure that all your other ingredients are also free from gluten cross-contamination.
Expert Tips
- Use parchment paper. Don’t skip the step of lining your pan with parchment paper or foil. If you do, removing the granola will become a challenge.
- Spray your measuring cups. When measuring sticky ingredients like peanut butter or honey, give your measuring cup a spray of non-stick cooking spray to help them slide right out.
- Don’t burn the oats. It’s important to stir your oats and almonds a couple of times while they’re in the oven to ensure they toast evenly.
- Add a drizzle of chocolate. Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle it over the bars before chilling for a little more chocolatey goodness.
Storage
For short-term storage, just put the granola bars in an airtight container, and they will keep at room temperature for a week. You can also individually wrap them in parchment paper and then place them in a sealed freezer bag, and they will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Discover More Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Muffins
- No Knead Cinnamon Raisin Bread
- Sweet Potato Hash
- Oatmeal Cookies
- Cranberry Orange Bread
- No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup almonds (or other nuts, chopped (optional))
- ¼ cup pepitas
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup butter (unsalted, melted)
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- ½ cup dried cranberries (or raisins)
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Spread the oats and almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted. Transfer the oats to a large bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Cook over medium heat until well blended and smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted oats, nuts, pepitas, and dried cranberries.Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until well coated.
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then stir in the chocolate chips and pecans (if using).
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it firmly and evenly into the pan.
- Transfer the pan to the fridge and chill for 2 hours.
- Cut the bars into desired size and shape. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- Nut Substitutions: Feel free to swap the almonds with walnuts, pecans, or any nut of your choice.
- Vegan Option: Replace honey with maple syrup and use a vegan butter substitute to keep these bars plant-based.
- Mix-In Variations: Get creative and add in shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, or a dash of nutmeg for extra flavor.
- Press Firmly: Make sure to press the mixture firmly into the pan; this helps the bars hold together once they are cut.
- Storing Tips: Keep the bars in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crunch.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
