Easy Homemade Granola Bars
These Easy Homemade Granola Bars are a delicious, customizable snack that's perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up, made with wholesome ingredients and free from preservatives.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats Look for rolled oats for the best texture.
- 1 cup mixed nuts Chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans; use your favorites!
- 1/2 cup dried fruit Creative options include cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots.
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Optional but adds warmth and depth.
- Pinch salt Balances the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey Local, raw honey is ideal for flavor and health benefits.
- 1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter Natural varieties without added sugar work best.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Pure vanilla extract elevates the flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until everything is evenly distributed.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey and peanut butter. Stir continuously until melted and smooth—this should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract.
- Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down firmly using the back of a spatula or your hands.
Baking
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool completely in the dish on a wire rack. Once cool, lift out using the parchment overhang, slice into bars, and enjoy your homemade granola bars!
Notes
Store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, in the fridge for 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. You can customize with different nuts or seeds based on preference.