Homemade Granola Bars
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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
- ¼ cup honey , plus more if needed
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup sliced almonds , optional
Optional: Salt and ground cinnamon, to taste
Instructions
- Combine. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups quick cooking oats, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup almonds, if using, until well combined. Add more honey if needed to hold shape, and stir in salt and cinnamon, if desired.
- Press into dish. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, with extra paper over the edges. Press the oat mixture evenly into the dish.
- Chill. 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: Cashew or sunflower seed butter both work, good for allergies.
- Nuts: Leave out the almonds, or swap in chopped peanuts or cashews.
- Mix-ins: Try dried cranberries or raisins in place of the chocolate chips, or add shredded coconut. For extra nutrition, stir in chia seeds, flaxseed meal, or sunflower seeds, about 1/8 cup each, plus a tablespoon more honey per addition. Keep total mix-ins to about a cup so the bars still hold together.
- Line your pan. Makes cleanup easy and keeps the bars from sticking. A quick spray on the parchment helps them release.
- Consistency. If the bars are crumbly, add a little more honey or nut butter to bind, and press firmly into the pan.
- Let chill. Don't skip it. The bars need about an hour in the freezer to set and firm up.
- Minis. For a preschool or playdate snack, cut into small squares and set each in a mini cupcake liner.
Nutrition
Calories: 238kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 98mg, Potassium: 173mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 17IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
