Ultimate Chewy Homemade Granola Bars
Make chewy, customizable granola bars at home using simple ingredients and natural sweeteners. These bars are great for snacks or make-ahead breakfasts.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 2 hr 15 min
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mix-ins (nuts, seeds, dried fruit)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and your chosen mix-ins.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the nut butter, honey or maple syrup, and applesauce or banana until smooth and easily combined. Do not boil.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- If using, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to pack it down tightly for chewiness.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until completely firm.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 12 or 16 bars.
Notes
- For a firmer bar, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes before cooling completely.
- Substitute maple syrup for honey to make these bars vegan.
- Store the finished bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 0