Homemade Granola Bars
These healthy homemade granola bars were inspired out of a need for better-for-you bars that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Our families love store-bought options, but we continuously feel disappointed by their ingredients. So, we decided to make our own, infusing them with nutrient-dense options and plenty of chocolate chips!
Love homemade recipes? Try our French toast granola and salted dark chocolate granola, too.
Soft, chewy, and deliciously chocolatey, this homemade granola bar recipe is loved by kids and adults alike. In fact, our little ones request them for breakfast and snacks! And who are we to deny?
Gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with fiber and good-for-you fats, this is one option we can feel good about. Plus, all the ingredients come together with minimal prep time, and the bars are ready to eat with a total time of under an hour. Try them out, and you’ll never go back to store-bought options again!
Ingredients and Notes
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!
- Honey – A natural sweetener that helps the bars stick together. Maple syrup will also work, if preferred.
- Butter – This adds richness to the bars. Substitute a plant-based butter to keep these granola bars dairy-free.
- Peanut Butter – Make sure to use creamy peanut butter for a smooth batter! Substitute any other seed or nut butter you prefer. Almond butter, cashew butter, or tahini all taste great.
- Egg – Large eggs act as a binder, holding the batter together. We don’t recommend using egg substitutes for this recipe, or the granola bars will be too dense.
- Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned Oats) – Do NOT substitute quick oats or steel-cut oats! To ensure your homemade granola bars are gluten-free, look for certified gluten-free oats.
- Flour – We use a gluten-free flour blend, but a 1:1 all-purpose flour also works.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances the sweetness.
- Coconut – Unsweetened shredded coconut adds a satisfying crunch along with fiber and fats.
- Hemp Hearts – Also known as hulled hemp seeds, hemp hearts are a great source of plant-based protein and omega-3 and omega-6 fats.
- Chocolate Chips – We prefer mini chocolate chips for bits of chocolate in every bite. Dark chocolate is our go-to, but milk chocolate, semi-sweet, and even white chocolate are tasty.
- Salt – Don’t skip this! It balances the sweetness, creating a well-rounded taste.
How to Make the Best Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
- Combine. Whisk all the wet ingredients in a large bowl. Then, stir in the dry ingredients until well combined.
2. Bake. Transfer the batter to a parchment paper-lined baking dish, and press the mixture down firmly. The firmer you pack the batter, the better the bars will hold their shape! Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are lightly browned and the center is firm to the touch.
3. Slice. Cut the bars while still warm, and allow them to cool completely in the oven. Then, transfer them to a cutting board, and slice again to separate. Enjoy!
Common Questions
Pretty much anything goes with this recipe! Feel free to include whatever you have on hand. Some of our favorite mix-ins include dried cranberries, raisins, chopped peanuts, and candies.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the fridge for up to two weeks. Or, freeze them for up to three months!
More Homemade Snacks
Healthy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
Equipment
- 1 8×8 pan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup peanut butter or any nut butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup gluten free flour blend or whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup hemp hearts seeds
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the honey, butter, nut butter, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup butter, softened, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the rolled oats, flour, coconut shreds, hemp hearts, chocolate chips, and salt. Mix until combined.2 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/3 cup gluten free flour blend, 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 1/2 cup hemp hearts seeds, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pour the batter into the parchment lined pan and firmly press the batter down with the back of a spatula until smooth (see notes).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges have browned slightly and the middle is firm to the touch.
- Once the bars are removed from the oven, use a knife to cut into bars while still warm (we typically cut into 2 rows of 5). Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Using the parchment paper, lift the bars from the pan and place on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the bars again in the same place, going over the lines to separate.
- Wrap the bars individually, if desired, and store in an airtight storage bag or store unwrapped in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature or 2 weeks in the fridge.
These bars are so easy to make and super yummy!
These look great. I love how healthy they are. Pinning. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday.