Fresh Homemade Chewy Granola Bars Recipe – Tasty & Simple

Crafting the perfect chewy homemade granola bars recipe brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Packed with wholesome ingredients, these bars offer a delightful blend of nutrition and flavor.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch and chewy texture that beats store-bought versions hands down.

Mornings become instantly brighter with these simple, nourishing treats.

Energy-boosting oats, sweet honey, and crunchy nuts combine to create a snack that keeps you going strong.

Customize with your favorite mix-ins for a personalized touch that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Get ready to become the snack hero of your household with this irresistible recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

Chewy Homemade Granola Bars Ingredient List

• Rolled Oats: Hearty whole grains that provide chewy texture and nutritional density.
• Rice Cereal: Adds delightful crunch and helps bind ingredients together.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers rich caramel-like sweetness and helps create cohesive bar structure.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that acts as sticky glue and enhances golden color.
• Butter: Provides richness, helps ingredients meld, and contributes to smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Elevates overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic undertones.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds delectable burst of sweetness and creates irresistible chocolate moments in each bite.

Tool That Helps with Granola Bar Making

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing dry ingredients like oats and rice cereal.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for melting brown sugar, honey, and butter.
• 8-inch Square Baking Pan: Ideal for shaping and setting the granola bars.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes removing bars easier.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting cooled granola bars into even pieces.

Instructions for Chewy Homemade Granola Bars

• Pan Preparation

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, creating smooth edges for easy removal.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine oats and crispy rice cereal in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a textural foundation for the bars.

• Sweet Caramel Mixture

Simmer brown sugar, honey, and butter in a saucepan until bubbling and smooth, releasing a rich golden color and caramel-like fragrance.

• Ingredient Marriage

Pour warm liquid over dry ingredients, gently folding until every morsel becomes perfectly coated and glossy.

• Bar Formation

Transfer mixture into prepared pan, pressing firmly with a spatula to create a compact and even layer. Sprinkle chocolate chips across the surface, gently pressing them into the granola base.

• Cooling and Cutting

Allow bars to rest at room temperature for several hours until completely set. Slice into uniform rectangles using a sharp knife for clean, crisp edges.

Granola Bar Add-Ins You’ll Want to Try

• Swap chocolate chips for dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes to create unique flavor combinations that match your taste preferences.
• Enhance the bars by adding ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or protein powder to increase protein and fiber content, making them a more substantial snack.
• Replace regular oats with certified gluten-free oats and use gluten-free rice cereal to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste or texture.
• Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer preservation and grab-and-go convenience.
• Press the mixture extremely firmly into the pan to ensure bars hold together well, preventing crumbling and creating that ideal chewy consistency everyone loves.

Serving Ideas for Granola Bars on the Go

• Picnic Perfect Snack Pack: Pack these granola bars in small resealable bags for easy outdoor adventures like hiking, beach trips, or family picnics. They're portable, mess-free, and provide quick energy.
• Breakfast Boost Companion: Slice these bars into smaller bite-sized pieces and serve alongside yogurt or sprinkle over morning smoothie bowls for added crunch and nutrition.
• Kids' Lunchbox Delight: Wrap individually in parchment paper for a fun, homemade treat that children will love in their school lunches. Add a cute note to make them feel extra special.
• Movie Night Munchies: Cut into smaller squares and create a sweet snack platter for family movie nights. Pair with fresh fruit or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert option.

Storing Chewy Granola Bars the Right Way

• Snack Prep Champion: These granola bars are perfect for weekly meal planning, offering grab-and-go convenience for busy mornings, school lunches, or afternoon energy boosts.
• Fridge-Free Storage Magic: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful chewy texture without refrigeration.
• Individual Wrap Trick: Wrap each bar separately in plastic wrap or parchment paper for easy portable snacking and to prevent them from sticking together.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Stack bars between wax paper in a freezer-safe container, where they'll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.

Wholesome Homemade Granola Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Chewy homemade granola bars combine wholesome oats, nuts, and honey for a delightful snack packed with nutrients. Bakers can quickly prepare this simple recipe with minimal ingredients and enjoy a satisfying treat that energizes throughout the day.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml, 16 fl oz) quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup (240 ml, 8 fl oz) crispy rice cereal
• 3 tbsps (45 ml, 1.5 fl oz) mini chocolate chips
• ⅓ cup (80 ml, 2.7 fl oz) packed light brown sugar
• 4 tbsps (60 ml, 2 fl oz) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (60 ml, 2 fl oz) honey
• 1 tsp (5 ml, 0.17 fl oz) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper for effortless removal.
2. Dry Ingredients Blend: Thoroughly mix rolled oats and crispy rice cereal in a large mixing bowl, establishing a robust foundational texture.
3. Syrup Creation: Melt brown sugar, honey, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture transforms into a glossy, bubbling liquid.
4. Flavor Infusion: Remove syrup from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, ensuring even distribution of the aromatic essence throughout the mixture.
5. Coating Process: Pour the warm syrup over the dry ingredients, gently folding and stirring until every oat and cereal piece is uniformly coated and glistening with the sweet binding agent.
6. Molding and Pressing: Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, applying firm, consistent pressure to compact the ingredients into a dense, cohesive layer that will hold together when cut.
7. Chocolate Embellishment: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips across the surface, delicately pressing them into the granola to ensure they adhere and create pockets of chocolatey delight.
8. Setting and Cooling: Allow the bars to rest at room temperature for approximately two hours, enabling the ingredients to bond and develop a sturdy, chewy consistency.
9. Portioning: Once completely cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the granola into uniform bars, transforming the mixture into convenient, portable snacks ready for enjoyment.

Notes

• Optimize Binding: Heat syrup slowly to prevent burning, ensuring sugar dissolves completely for maximum stickiness and bar cohesion.
• Pressing Technique: Apply consistent, firm pressure when compacting ingredients to create dense, well-structured bars that hold together perfectly.
• Chocolate Placement: Gently embed chocolate chips while mixture is still warm to help them melt slightly and create better adherence.
• Storage Wisdom: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg