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Best Homemade Granola Bars: Easy, Chewy & Kid-Friendly Recipe

A stack of chewy homemade granola bars made with oats and dried cranberries, beautifully lit by sunlight.
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Make your own chewy, naturally sweetened homemade granola bars packed with wholesome ingredients. These are easy to customize and perfect for healthy snacks or lunch boxes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup mix-ins (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, mini chocolate chips)
  • 1/2 cup binder (e.g., peanut butter or almond butter)
  • 1/3 cup natural sweetener (e.g., honey or maple syrup)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and your chosen mix-ins.
  3. In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the nut butter and natural sweetener until they are smooth and easily combined. Do not boil.
  4. Remove the binder mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry oat mixture. Stir well until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a glass or a spatula to pack it down tightly for chewy bars.
  7. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This step is crucial for them to set properly.
  9. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the block out of the pan. Cut into 12 to 16 bars.

Notes

  • For a no-bake version, skip baking and press the mixture firmly into the pan. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until firm before cutting.
  • Customize your bars! Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips or shredded coconut for extra flavor.
  • These are great make ahead freezer snacks; store them in an airtight container for up to one month.
  • If you prefer soft baked granola bars, slightly underbake them by 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/homemade-granola-bars-chewy-recipe/