Homemade granola bars are so easy to make and are way tastier than anything you can buy in a grocery store. The best part is that they contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives so they are a great addition to your family’s snack stash.
Buying granola at the store can be expensive, not to mention all of the questionable ingredients in it. One day I was looking in my pantry and noticed that I had rolled oats that needed to be used. I started thinking… What else can I make with this besides boring oatmeal?
After a few quick google searches I came up with this easy and versatile homemade granola recipe. The great thing is that you can use any nuts or dried fruit that you like!
I use almonds and dried cranberries, but feel free to use pecans, walnuts, shredded coconut or raisins. I also added chocolate chips in it for a sweeter almost dessert quality to them. Watching your sugar? If you want to make them less sweet just omit the chocolate.
Granola Bar Recipe Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Old fashion rolled oats-
- 1/2 cup Almonds ( or whatever nut you like)
- 1/3 honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries ( or any dried fruit you like)
- 1/4 cup Semi sweet mini chocolate chips (optional)
Equipment
Tips for making homemade granola bars
- Toast the oats and nuts- Toasting the nuts and oats before mixing the wet ingredients give another layer of flavor. It also gives a nice chewy texture to the bars
- Press the granola mixture into the pan very well– Use a silicone spatula or damp fingers to press the granola mixture into the pan very well. This step ensures that the granola binds together and sets while its in the refrigerator.
- The honey and sugar is the glue for your bars- You can try to reduce the amount of sugar in your bars but this might affect how well they stay together. Experiment and see what works best for your family. The worst that can happen is that you have regular granola and not bars, still just as tasty!
- Don’t skimp on the setting time– Let the granola set in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This makes sure everything is combined together and your bars stay well… bars and not just regular loose granola.
How to make homemade granola bars
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and add the oats and chopped nuts to a baking sheet. Bake them for 5 mins, then stir and bake for other 3 minuets until light toasted. Transfer them to a mixing bowl.
- In a sauce pan combined butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Cook on medium heat until everything is melted and the sugar is dissolved. The mixture should be slightly bubbling.
- Pour the mixture into the toasted oats and almonds and stir everything together. Let the mixture cool for 5 minuets then add the chocolate chips and cranberries.
- Transfer the mixture into a 9 inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Press the mixture firmly into the pan with a silicone spatula or damp fingers.
- Sprinkle a tablespoon or two of mini chocolate chips over the top and press them into the granola square with the spatula.
- Place in the refrigerator to set for 2 hours then remove them and cut into bars.
- Keep the bars in an air tight container at room temperature for a week, or wrap them up and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- I like to wrap mine in Popsicle wrappers or bees wax wraps but you can wrap them in parchment paper or plastic wrap. These can also be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Other Homemade recipes you might like:
Homemade Granola Bars
These homemade granola bars are so easy to make and great for a healthy snack. They use whole natural ingredients and contain no preservatives.
Equipment
- 9 inch square baking pan
- silicone spatula
- mixing bowl
- baking sheet
- Sauce pan
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Old fashion rolled oats-
- 1/2 cup Almonds or whatever nut you like
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or any dried fruit you like
- 1/4 cup cup Semi sweet mini chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and add the oats and chopped nuts to a baking sheet. Bake them for 5 mins, then stir and bake for other 3 minuets until light toasted. Transfer them to a mixing bowl.
- In a sauce pan combined butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Cook on medium heat until everything is melted and the sugar is dissolved. The mixture should be slightly bubbling.
- Pour the mixture into the toasted oats and almonds and stir everything together. Let the mixture cool for 5 minuets then add the chocolate chips and cranberries.
- Transfer the mixture into a 9 inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Press the mixture firmly into the pan with a silicone spatula or damp fingers.
- Sprinkle a tablespoon or two of mini chocolate chips over the top and press them into the granola square with the spatula.
- Place in the refrigerator to set for 2 hours then remove them and cut into bars.
- Keep the bars in an air tight container at room temperature for a week, or wrap them up and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- I like to wrap mine in Popsicle wrappers or bees wax wraps but you can wrap them in parchment paper or plastic wrap. These can also be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.