Homemade Chewy Granola Bars (Print Version)

Wholesome bars blending oats, nuts, seeds, and honey for a chewy, nutritious snack.

# Components:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup crispy rice cereal
03 - ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
04 - ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
05 - ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
06 - ½ cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots)
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - ½ cup honey or maple syrup
10 - ½ cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
11 - ¼ cup unsalted butter
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mix oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips (if using), dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon until well blended.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir honey, peanut butter, and butter until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the melted wet ingredients over the dry mixture and stir thoroughly until evenly coated.
05 - Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly using a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until edges turn golden brown.
07 - Cool completely in the pan, then lift bars out using parchment overhang and slice into 16 bars.
08 - Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for extended storage.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to make in one bowl
  • Great for meal prep and on-the-go snacks
02 -
  • For nut-free bars use seeds and seed butter instead of nuts and peanut butter.
  • Use certified gluten-free oats if you need a gluten-free snack.
03 -
  • Press the mixture very firmly in the pan to prevent crumbling.
  • Let bars cool completely before cutting for cleaner edges.
Return