Healthy Homemade Granola Bars (Printable)
Wholesome oat and nut bars sweetened naturally with honey. Crunchy, chewy, and packed with seeds for perfect snacking anytime.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Base
01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1/2 cup chopped almonds
03 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
04 - 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
→ Binding & Sweetener
05 - 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
06 - 1/4 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
07 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Add-ins
10 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free if desired)
11 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
12 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Spread the oats, almonds, and walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey or maple syrup, peanut butter, and coconut oil. Stir continuously until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract and salt.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted oats, nuts, pumpkin seeds, and shredded coconut if using. Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips, reserving a small handful of chips for topping if desired.
05 - Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
06 - Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Press down very firmly with the back of a spatula or your hands, dampening them if needed, to pack the mixture tightly and evenly.
07 - Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips on top and gently press them in.
08 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
09 - Lift out of the pan using the parchment overhang, and cut into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They strike that perfect balance between crispy edges and chewy centers that store-bought versions never seem to get right
- Mixing and matching the add-ins means youll never get bored, and they actually keep you full until your next meal
02 -
- Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is absolutely critical, or your bars will crumble apart instead of holding together
- Letting them cool completely before cutting prevents that frustrating scenario where half the bar sticks to the knife
03 -
- Lining your pan with parchment paper in both directions creates handles that make lifting the whole batch out effortless
- Adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients before mixing gives these bars a warm, spiced depth that people will ask about