Description
These homemade granola bars are a delicious and nutritious snack made with toasted oats, nuts, dried fruit, and a sweet peanut butter and honey binder. Perfectly chewy with a touch of chocolate and a hint of vanilla, they are easy to prepare and bake for a wholesome treat that’s great for lunchboxes or on-the-go energy.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts such as almonds or walnuts
- 1/2 cup dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Toast: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Spread the rolled oats and nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once, until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a saucepan over low heat, combine honey, peanut butter, brown sugar, melted butter or coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and fully melted to create a cohesive binder.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the toasted oats and nuts with dried fruit and chocolate chips. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Press and Bake: Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure the bars hold together well. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until set and slightly golden on the edges.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the pan to cool completely before carefully lifting out the granola slab using the parchment paper. Cut into 12 bars and store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Pressing the mixture firmly is key to helping the bars hold together well.
- For a healthier version, reduce the brown sugar slightly or replace chocolate chips with extra dried fruit for natural sweetness.
- Store granola bars in an airtight container to keep them chewy for up to a week.
