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For a fast and filling snack — or okay, sometimes a meal — granola bars just can’t be beat. They’re portable and tasty and filling. I decided it was time to learn how to make granola bars back when my kids were in elementary school, and these are still a favorite today.
Originally published March 2014; this post has been updated.
Click here to see my great big collection of homemade granola bars.
Once upon a time, when my boys were young and in Little League, we did a lot of eating on the run. The slow cooker helped us manage meals, but people were hungry during those games and seemingly never-ending practices.
Granola bars were my go-to grab and go snacks. I chose what I thought were the healthiest bars, but not long into the season I realized that 1. we were creating a lot of trash and 2. we were spending a lot of cash.
Time to learn how to make granola bars myself!
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Easy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
The good news is, it’s not hard. It’s a simple matter of combining ingredients, pressing them into a pan, and baking. The house will smell lovely, you will have snacks, and you’ll save money.
These peanut butter granola bars, adapted from a recipe from a vintage television show called Zoom (remember THAT?), became our standby snack on busy days. Even now, my adult children will fall back on this recipe when they know they’re going to be out and about all day long and in need of sustenance.
Ingredients
Oats— The bulk of this granola recipe comes from old fashioned rolled oats. Skip the quick oats; you want the heft of whole, rolled oats here.
Honey — This recipe is lightly sweetened with honey. If you like, you could easily use maple syrup instead.
Peanut Butter — Added for both flavor and a little extra protein, peanut butter helps hold the ingredients together, too. I prefer a natural peanut butter; opt for creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter. For a nut free version, try sunflower seed butter or use melted butter or coconut oil.
Eggs — Fresh eggs, store bought, use what you have readily available.
Optional Add-Ins— This is where you can really customize these homemade granola bars. We typically add raisins or dried cranberries, along with mini chocolate chips and nuts. You can also add unsweetened shredded coconut.
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Making Them
Start by mixing the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and eggs in a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
Transfer oat mixture to a rimmed baking pan and spread evenly. Use a spatula or your hands to press the mixture firmly into the pan.
Bake, remove from oven, and once again press the oat mixture firmly into the pan. Doing this both before and after baking the bars helps them retain their shape.
Cool, then cut into bars.
Storage
Place bars into an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to a week.
Be sure to try these homemade granola recipes, too!
- Easy Homemade Granola
- Persimmon Granola
- Pumpkin Granola
★ Did you make these granola bars? Don’t forget to give them a star rating below!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 8 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups organic raisins or cranberries
- 2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir salt, flour, baking powder, and oats into peanut butter mixture. Add raisins, chocolate chips, and nuts.
- Spread mixture into a 13"x18" baking sheet, greased or lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Press the mixture firmly down into the pan using a flat spatula or other tool.
- Bake 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and press bars again to help them hold their shape.
- Cool, then slice into 24 bars.
Notes
For a nut free version, try sunflower seed butter or use melted butter or coconut oil instead of the peanut butter.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24Serving Size: 1 bar
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 330Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 5gSugar: 22gProtein: 9g
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FAQs
Honey – Along with the nut butter, it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe.
What ingredient makes granola stick together? ›
Clumpy Granola Method: Add Whole Wheat and Almond Flour
First, it adds a combo of whole wheat flour and almond flour (or almond meal), which act as a binder to hold the oat mixture together. Second is the bakeware. This recipe opts for a 9×13-inch baking pan instead of the standard rimmed sheet pan.
Should you soak oats before making granola bars? ›
This soaking process will help the oats and seeds digest better. After the oat/seed mixture has soaked 8-12 hours, add the rest of the ingredients and combine.
Are homemade granola bars healthier? ›
Are Granola Bars Healthy or Unhealthy? While store-bought granola bars can be unhealthy and full of added sugars, these homemade granola bars are healthy in moderation. They're a delicious and nutritious snack option compared to those that come in a package.
What is the best binder for granola bars? ›
Chia seeds are often praised for their binding powers. In fact, they secure ingredients so well that they can even be used as an egg replacer. Adding just a spoonful of chia seeds to your favorite granola bar recipe will make a huge difference in its texture.
What is the best glue for granola bars? ›
Honey and brown sugar help make a glue for the bars.
The honey and brown sugar really helps with keeping the bars together. Chocolate chips added to the mixture help, too. We add some to the granola mixture while it is still warm.
How do you keep homemade granola bars from falling apart? ›
If your granola bars are falling apart or seem too crumbly, here are a few tips. Make sure you use honey or another sticky sweetener such as maple syrup in the liquid part of the recipe; this recipe calls for honey. This will help bind together the ingredients and keep that signature bar shape.
Why didn't my homemade granola stick together? ›
If so, the reason that your granola isn't clumpy already is because it was deliberately stirred and broken apart while it was baking, and it might be possible to make it re-clump! Try putting a scoop in the microwave and heating it in 30 second bursts on high. If it starts to get sticky, you're golden.
What is the main ingredient in chewy granola bars? ›
GRANOLA (WHOLE GRAIN OATS, BROWN SUGAR, BROWN RICE CRISP [WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT], WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT, SOYBEAN OIL, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, BAKING SODA, SOY LECITHIN, NONFAT DRY MILK), CORN SYRUP, BROWN RICE CRISP (WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT), SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE ...
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats? ›
Old-fashioned oats and quick-cooking oats are basically interchangeable, although they will slightly change your final dish. If you're substituting old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats, your final dish will be chewier, and it might taste a little oat-ier.
I aim to let it hit room temperature, whatever that may be; the real point is to give it ample time to shed excess heat and steam. This should take about 45 minutes; if left out indefinitely, the granola can turn sticky or soft, so do try to put it away as soon after cooling as you can.
Is it cheaper to make your own granola bars? ›
Homemade granola bars aren't hard to make once you have all the right ingredients and they'll certainly save you money in the long term. It's hard to fight against the convenience and habit of picking up a box of bars at the store, but it really seems like it's worth trying to make our own.
Is it OK to eat granola bars everyday? ›
Granola can give us many essential vitamins and minerals. Research suggests that granola may increase the amount of good intestinal flora. I recommend you may consume granola bars but in moderate amounts.
Why are chewy granola bars so good? ›
All classic flavors of Chewy are made with 100% whole grains and other yummy ingredients, like real chocolate chips and raisins, and no artificial flavors or added colors.
How do you tamp granola? ›
Get as clumpy as you like.
First, press the granola into an even layer before you put it in the oven. Then, stir it only once halfway through cooking. For really good clumps, press down on the finished granola before it cools and avoid jostling it on the pan until cooled completely.
What can I use instead of egg in granola bars? ›
Egg-free and vegan — Substitute 2 “flax eggs.” To make enough flax egg mixture for this recipe, mix 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (or flaxseed meal) with 5 tablespoons water. Let set for 5-10 minutes before adding to the recipe. (Bonus: Using flaxseed will help your bars stick together even more tightly.)
How do you soften hard granola bars? ›
Fortunately, there are ways to eat Nature Valley granola bars that prevent a little less of a crumble catastrophe. General Mills told Bloomer that eaters could try warming the bars up in the microwave to soften them first (but take them out of the package first).
How do you soften Nature Valley granola bars? ›
For added softness, Nature Valley's hack is a quick pop in the microwave for a warm and chewier snack. Alternatively, yogurt lovers can break up the bars while they're still wrapped and pour it into their yogurt for extra crunch.
