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How to Make Granola Bars

BySammi Ricke
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Learn How to Make Granola Bars to save money and to incorporate healthy ingredients. 

These gluten free granola bars have been a staple in our house for a while now.

I was finding it incredibly difficult to find healthy granola bars that didn’t cost a fortune.

So I decided to make my own and haven’t looked back since!

These Fit & Frugal Granola Bars are made with healthy gluten free ingredients to create chewy granola bars you feel good about feeding your kids. This homemade recipe is a perfect snack or addition to any school lunch. They are packed with superfoods like ground flax seeds, hemp seeds and coconut! But any add-ins will work! We never skip the chocolate chips but the possibilities are endless. Look no further, you have found the BEST granola bar recipe on Pinterest!

I was so discouraged to  discover that most “healthy” pre-packaged granola bars contain soy and mystery ingredients I can’t pronounce.  Soy seems to be in everything these days and I would just as soon avoid it if possible.

When I found this simple recipe I knew I wanted to make it my own and add in some “superfood” ingredients.  The term “superfood” may be a little overused, but don’t let that distract you from the  fact that our bodies really need these nutrient dense foods!

Did you notice the tiny flecks of green in my bars?

 Those are hemp seeds, and they are one of my favorite superfoods. These soft seeds are full of protein and essential fatty acids. Besides adding them to these granola bars, I also enjoy  them in smoothies and Apple Cereal.

Related Article: Every Mom’s Guide to Packing Healthy School Lunches

I also added ground flax seeds and unsweetened shredded coconut to these chewy bars. I feel great about feeding my family these nutrient dense granola bars that also fill them up.  I know that you will too.

Did you know that coconut is packed with iron, zinc, and fiber? Sounds like a superfood to me!

These Fit & Frugal Granola Bars are made with healthy gluten free ingredients to create chewy granola bars you feel good about feeding your kids. This homemade recipe is a perfect snack or addition to any school lunch. They are packed with superfoods like ground flax seeds, hemp seeds and coconut! But any add-ins will work! We never skip the chocolate chips but the possibilities are endless. Look no further, you have found the BEST granola bar recipe on Pinterest!

The serving size of these bars is completely up to you!

You can get as many as 16 small squares or at least 10 normal-sized granola bars. I typically cut them so I have enough to put in kids’ lunches all week which is 10-12 bars for us.

Who needs a #healthy #snack? Try our Fit & Frugal Homemade Granola Bars #superfood Share on X

Most months I will make these one week, energy bites the next week, and then muffins…and by the end of the month, I’m all tuckered out and we just pick up a box of something  “sorta healthy” at Wal-Mart.

By the way, have you noticed Wal-Mart has really stepped up their game lately with clean eating options? I have been pleasantly surprised to find these crackers and fig bars that the kiddos just LOVE!

These Fit & Frugal Granola Bars are made with healthy gluten free ingredients to create chewy granola bars you feel good about feeding your kids. This homemade recipe is a perfect snack or addition to any school lunch. They are packed with superfoods like ground flax seeds, hemp seeds and coconut! But any add-ins will work! We never skip the chocolate chips but the possibilities are endless. Look no further, you have found the BEST granola bar recipe on Pinterest!

Okay, back to the recipe! Feel free to use whatever nut butter, seeds, or other additions you have on hand. If I don’t have hemp seeds, I don’t sweat it. I just add a little more ground flax or finely chopped almonds.

I have been wanting to try a different nut butter other than peanut butter. Our friend, Kari from She’s Nuts!, has the most delicious nut butter flavors without all the sugar.  The Cinnamon Almond Pecan would be an excellent choice in this recipe. My mouth is watering…

Related Recipe: Apple Nachos with Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Sauce

I can’t wait for your own family to try this healthy recipe! Let me know down in the comments what add-ins you used!

Are you read to learn how to make granola bars? You’ll do great!

 

These Fit & Frugal Granola Bars are made with healthy gluten free ingredients to create chewy granola bars you feel good about feeding your kids. This homemade recipe is a perfect snack or addition to any school lunch. They are packed with superfoods like ground flax seeds, hemp seeds and coconut! But any add-ins will work! We never skip the chocolate chips but the possibilities are endless. Look no further, you have found the BEST granola bar recipe on Pinterest!
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5 from 1 vote

How To Make Granola Bars

These Fit & Frugal Granola Bars are made with healthy gluten free ingredients to create chewy granola bars you feel good about feeding your kids. This homemade recipe is a perfect snack or addition to any school lunch. They are packed with superfoods like ground flax seeds, hemp seeds and coconut! But any add-ins will work! We never skip the chocolate chips but the possibilities are endless. Look no further, you have found the BEST granola bar recipe on Pinterest! Find more "healthified" recipes at groundedandsurrounded.com.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: All American
Keyword: gluten free, granola, granola bars, healthy, how to
Servings: 10 bars
Calories: 200kcal
Author: Sammi Ricke
Cost: $3.00

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (I use Adams Natural)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup honey (I use a local raw variety)
  • 2 1/4 cups oatmeal (I use old fashioned)
  • 1/4 cup flour (whole wheat or GF) Try our G&S GF Flour Blend Recipe
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Lightly spray an 8 x 8 glass pan with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
  • Cream together the butter, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
  • Press the mixture into the greased pan. It’ will be a little sticky, so use the back of your spatula to press it down or wet your fingers a little with water to press the mixture in firmly. You want your batter to become very compact and tight in the pan.
  • Bake at 325 F for 30-35 minutes until the top is slightly golden brown. They will firm up and hold together nicely once cooled.
  • After they have cooled completely, cut into bars and wrap each bar in plastic wrap. Store the bars in the fridge for 7-10 days or store in your freezer for months.

Notes

Don't panic if you batter is really sticky. Depending on the variety of nut butter and honey you use, the consistency of your batter will vary. I use a very thick peanut butter and honey so my batter is very thick and not too sticky.  However, when I used a more "syrupy" honey, my batter was a little more challenging to press into the pan. Despite the difference between batters, my bars always turned out well!
This recipe was adapted from a recipe at Brown Thumb Mama.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal

Sammi Ricke is a talented cook with a knack for coming up with creative new ways to healthify recipes without sacrificing any of the flavor. Sammi has built a beautiful life with her high school sweetheart and enjoys her primary role as a stay-at-home mom to their two children. If Sammi's not in her kitchen, she's probably exploring a new hiking trail, enjoying coffee with a friend, or binge-watching the latest "Food Network" show on Netflix. Sammi's full Bio.

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27 Comments

  6. Fit and frugal?!! That is a win win on my book 🙂 Love it! Thank you for sharing this yummy and healthy recipe over at #healthyliving link party. I appreciate what you share and I hope to see you again.

    BTW, I will be featuring you for tonight’s party!

    Reply

  8. Homemade granola bars or snack bars are the way to go! Those things at the store are pricy, not to mention stuffed with massive amounts of sugar and artificial crap. I much prefer homemade. These look amazing!

    Reply

  9. Hey Sammi! I love how simple this recipe is. They’ve been plenty out there that add too many things for my liking and have such complicated steps. But this sounds super easy and the fact that it’s good for me makes it all the more enticing. Thanks for sharing another great and healthy option with us on #shinebloghop. It’s always a pleasure to read your pieces 🙂

    Reply

    1. Sorry it took me so long to reply. It’s the last 2 weeks of school and it has become apparent that every field trip for the year, teacher appreciation activity, and sporting event needs to be packed into it. 😉 Any who…I think dates would be delicious in it! I would maybe sub them in for the chocolate chips. Or not. hehe Or you could make date paste and use in place of a portion of the honey. I am so curious to see what you do! Let me know how they turn out, Vanessa!

      Reply

    1. Well it sounds like you were meant to have this recipe, Abby! Once you give it a try swing back and let me know what you both think of it 🙂 Have a great week!

      Reply

  12. I really need to eat before I look at people’s recipes. Your granola bars have me drooling. I love the ingredients you used for these bars ..yum! Thank you for sharing them with us at Talented Tuesday Link Party. I pinned them because they look too good not to share! Enjoy the rest of your week, Kim

    Reply

  16. These sound so amazing! I am always tempted by granola bar recipes and get frustrated because they just have too many ingredients. These look perfect! I have almost all of the ingredients in my kitchen already! I’ve pinned this to try later. 🙂

    Reply

    1. I totally get it! Hopefully this one doesn’t have too many ingredients for you. The recipe comes together super fast because I am like you, if it has too many ingredients or takes too long… I’m out! lol Can’t wait for you to try them 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hey Kelly! I am partial to hemp seeds and all the ways to use them 🙂 They are typically in the refrigerator section of your local healthy food store!

      Reply