Chewy homemade granola bars

Chewy, wholesome granola bars packed with oats, seeds, and a touch of honey—perfect for bulk prep and healthy snacking in lunchboxes.

I first made these homemade granola bars years ago to satisfy my family's craving for something sweet yet wholesome. They've become a favorite to bake together before busy school weeks.

Ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: 3 cups
• Crispy rice cereal: 1 cup
• Raw sunflower seeds: 1/2 cup
• Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans): 1/2 cup
• Mini chocolate chips (optional): 1/2 cup
• Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots), chopped: 1/2 cup
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
• Honey or maple syrup: 1/2 cup
• Creamy peanut butter or almond butter: 1/2 cup
• Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon

Instructions

Prepare the pan:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Mix dry ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips (if using), dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well.

Melt wet ingredients:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Combine mixtures:

Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.

Press and bake:

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly with a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup.

Bake:

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Cool and cut:

Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into bars.

Store:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.

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My kids love when I pack these bars in their lunchboxes. They often ask for extra, so we make double batches and freeze them for busy mornings together.

Required Tools

To make these bars, you'll need a 9x13-inch baking pan, parchment paper, a large mixing bowl, small saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, and a spatula.

Allergen Information

This recipe contains peanuts or tree nuts, dairy (if butter is used), and may contain gluten. Always check ingredient labels to avoid allergens.

Nutritional Information (per bar)

Each granola bar provides about 185 calories, 8 g total fat, 25 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.

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These granola bars are a smart snack choice and stay fresh for days. Enjoy them at home or on the go for lasting energy.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make these bars vegan?

Yes, substitute honey with maple syrup and use plant-based butter alternatives to make these bars vegan-friendly.

→ How do I store the granola bars?

Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for longer preservation.

→ Can I substitute nuts in these bars?

For a nut-free version, replace nuts with extra seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds and use sunflower seed butter.

→ What gives these bars their chewy texture?

The combination of honey, peanut butter, and butter binds the dry ingredients, creating a chewy and moist texture.

→ Are these bars suitable for lunchboxes?

Yes, their wholesome ingredients and convenient size make them ideal for lunchboxes and on-the-go snacks.