Save to Pinterest Chewy, wholesome granola bars packed with oats, seeds, and a touch of honey are perfect for bulk prep and healthy snacking in lunchboxes. This recipe is designed to be both delicious and adaptable, giving you a satisfying snack that you can customize for your family.
When my kids started school, these homemade granola bars became our go-to snack. They helped us avoid processed snacks and let us create new flavors every week.
Ingredients
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: 3 cups
- Crispy rice cereal: 1 cup
- Raw sunflower seeds: 1/2 cup
- Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans): 1/2 cup
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): 1/2 cup
- Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots), chopped: 1/2 cup
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
- Honey or maple syrup: 1/2 cup
- Creamy peanut butter or almond butter: 1/2 cup
- Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Prep Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, mix oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips (if using), dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon.
- Heat Wet Ingredients:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook honey, peanut butter, and butter until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Mix Together:
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Press and Bake:
- Transfer to prepared pan, pressing down firmly and evenly. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Cut:
- Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
- Store:
- Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
Save to Pinterest My youngest helps mix all the ingredients and loves pressing them into the pan. We make these bars together before busy school weeks and everyone loves them for afternoon snacks.
Required Tools
9x13-inch baking pan, parchment paper, large mixing bowl, small saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, spatula
Allergen Information
Contains peanuts or tree nuts, dairy if using butter, and may contain gluten if oats are not certified gluten-free. Always check labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Calories: 185. Total Fat: 8 g. Carbohydrates: 25 g. Protein: 4 g.
Save to Pinterest Homemade granola bars make snack time fun and healthy. Try a new fruit or nut combination each batch for endless variety.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I substitute maple syrup for honey?
Yes, maple syrup can be used instead of honey to make the bars vegan while maintaining sweetness and moisture.
- → How should these bars be stored?
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze them for longer preservation.
- → What nuts work best in these bars?
Almonds, walnuts, and pecans add great texture and flavor, though you can use any preferred chopped nuts.
- → Can I make these bars nut-free?
Yes, replace nuts with extra seeds like pumpkin or sunflower and use sunflower seed butter instead of nut butter.
- → What baking pan size is recommended?
A 9x13-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper ensures the bars bake evenly and can be removed easily.
- → Are there options to boost nutrition?
Add shredded coconut or flaxseed to the dry mix for extra fiber and nutrients without affecting the texture.