Healthy, chewy and crunchy, these homemade granola bars make are perfect for breakfast or just for snacking on throughout the day!
About This Recipe
This homemade granola bars recipe is quick, easy and beast of all, very adaptable! You can use whatever nuts and dry fruits you have on hand as long as you follow the recipe for the base of these granola bars.
Many granola bar recipes require no baking at all, but I like to toast my oats slightly before combining it with the rest of the ingredients to give the granola bars a crunch! But you can skip that if you’re looking for a no bake recipe.
Let’s talk about how healthy these homemade granola bars are…., although they do contain some butter and sugar, it’s a very little amount that’s required for the granola bars to hold their shape, nevertheless it’s definitely way more nutritious and healthy than any store-bought version, with no artificial flavors or additivees.
What You Need To Make This Recipe
Hazelnuts: use any nuts you have or use a combination of 2 or 3 kinds of nuts!
Cranberries: use any dried fruit you’d like, I like to use cranberried because they give a hint of tartness to the homemade granola bars.
Oats: use only old fashion rolled oats, any other type of oats like instant oats will not work for this recipe.
Chocolate Chips: this is totally optional I just really like chocolate!
How To Make Homemade Granola Bars
Step 1: Spread the oats onto a baking tray and bake at 180 °C / 350 °F for 5 minutes. Give it a mix and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the oats are nice and toasty. Transfer the oats into a large bowl.
Step 2: In a saucepan combine some butter, brown sugar, a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Simmer this on high heat while stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Step 3: Remove from heat and pour onto the toasted oats. Then add in the honey and give everything a mix. (This is the base and now you can add any nuts and dry fruits you like.)
Step 4: Add in the roughly chopped roasted hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, chopped dried cranberries and chocolate chips. Give everything a mix until it’s fully combined.
Step 5: Press the mixture into a tray (I used an 8 x 8 square tray since I love my granola bars to be thick!) lined with baking paper. Use a spatula at first then wet your fingers (clean!) and push down until it’s nice and firm.
Step 6: Refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes to allow the homemade granola bars to set completely. Once chilled cut into desired shape and drizzle on some melted chocolate, this is optional. Enjoy!
Storing The Homemade Granola Bars
Store the granola bars in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to a week.
To freeze: place the granola bars in a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 2 month, thaw completely at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them!
Pro Tips
- Add any chopped nuts along with the oats to toast them as well.
- You can use any liquid sweetener in place of honey like, maple syrup or agave.
- Make these ahead of time so you have your or your kid’s breakfast or snack sorted out for the week!
- Looking for a sugar free granola bar recipe, try this one. ( !this is not my recipe)
- Experiment with different types of nuts and dried fruit and see what you like the best, to make your ideal homemade granola bars.
FAQ’s
What are some other types of nuts I could use for this recipe?
Some great options are almonds, walnuts, pecans and pistachios.
Can I skip the butter in this recipe?
Unfortunately, no you can’t, because the butter an sugar mixture is what helps these granola bars to hold their. They harden once chilled which gives you the perfect granola bars that do not fall apart when you pick it up.
What can I substitute for honey?
Any liquid sweetener will work, like maple syrup or agave.
Can I make these without toasting the oats?
Definitely, but keep in mind that you granola bars will turn out a little soft rather than crunchy. I would highly recommend you toast your oats because when we add in the liquids the granola bars will get a little soft so it’s not going to turn out too hard and crunchy, they’ll have just the right amount of crunch!
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Recipe Card
Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
Healthy, chewy and crunchy, these homemade granola bars make are perfect for breakfast or just for snacking on throughout the day!
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Total Time: 2 hours 20 min (includes chill time)
Course: Dessert/Snacks
Servings: 8-10 bars
Calories: 276kcal
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats (230g)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (56g)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (50g)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup honey (113g)
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped (or any nut)
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C / 350 °F. Spread the oats on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for 5 minutes. take it out, give it a mix and bake for another 5-10 minutes until toasted. Let it cool down slightly then transfer into a big bowl.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Simmer on high flame while stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from the heat and pour on to the toasted oats. Add in the honey and give everything a mix.
- Now add in the hazelnuts (or any nuts), pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries and chocolate chips. Mix until fully combined.
- Press the mixture into a parchment lined tray using a spatula first, then wet your clean finger and press to make sure it’s nice and tight!
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes if you’re short on time.
- Cut into your desired shape and size and enjoy! (I like to drizzle on some melted chocolate as well)
Nutrition
Calories: 276.12kcal
Total Fat: 12.99g
Carbs: 38.26g
Sugars: 20.84g
Protein: 5.02g
Sodium: 63mg
Fiber: 3.69g
** Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more. **
