These homemade granola bars are soft, chewy and easy to make with only 5 ingredients! A simple no-bake healthy snack that is so much better than store-bought.
In a medium bowl, stir together the oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and almonds, if using, until well combined. Add more honey if needed to hold shape, Stir salt and cinnamon, if desired.
Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, with extra paper over the edges. Press the oat mixture evenly into the dish.
Freeze 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until firm. Remove from dish and transfer to a cutting board. Cut in half. and then cut each half into 6 rectangles. Wrap bars individually with parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Notes
Variations:
Nut butter: You may also use cashew or sun butter for allergies
Nuts: you can leave out the sliced almonds or use chopped peanut or cashews.
Additions: Feel free to substitute the chocolate chips for dried cranberries. Another yummy addition is shredded coconut.
More nutrition: 1/8 cup flax seed meal, 1/8 cup chia seeds, 1/8 cup sunflower seeds. Add a Tablespoon more honey for each addition.
Expert Tips:
Line your pan. Not only does this make clean up extra easy, but it keeps the bars from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Nut butter. Make sure the nut butter you're using has a smooth and creamy consistency (not dry and firm). This will help the mixture bind together.
Consistency. If the bars are a little crumbly and not holding their shape, add in a little more honey or almond butter to help bind the mixture.
Let chill. Don't skip this step! The bars need to chill in the freezer for about an hour so that the mixture has time to set and firm up.
Minis. Looking for a preschool or play date snack? Cut the granola bars into mini squares and then place them in a mini cupcake liner (see picture below). Cute, easy and healthy!
Storage:Place the individually wrapped granola bars in an airtight container up to 2 weeks. Freeze: Freeze individually wrapped granola bars in an airtight container up to 3 months.