Are you wanting to learn how to make homemade granola bars from scratch that the whole family will love? This delicious granola bar recipe even won my husband over, who is not a fan of granola bars. Now that’s saying something!
This amazing from scratch granola bar recipe is easy and quick to throw together. It is so simple even the kids can have fun making them. The bonus is that they are no bake!
Our family had previously consumed the prepackaged granola bars. For this busy mama, it was easy and convenient for me to buy the biggest box to have on hand at all times.
When our favorite granola bars were no longer being sold, I started trying to figure out how to make my own. I was trying for a copy cat of what we already preferred. To my delight, I came up with something we liked even better.
The plus behind making my own granola bars from scratch is that I know what I’m putting in them. They still aren’t the healthiest option but for now they are better than what we were eating. Look in the notes for a healthier option.
Ingredients
- Quick Oats
- Honey
- Light Brown Sugar
- Salted Butter (or unsalted)
- Vanilla Extract
- Mini Chocolate Chips
How to make homemade granola bars from scratch
The tools you need are an 8×8 glass dish or pan, a wooden spoon, a medium size mixing bowl, a sauce pan and some parchment paper. An added plus is these granola bars are no bake!
- Spray your 8×8 pan with nonstick spray and then line with parchment paper.
- Put oats into a bowl.
- Add honey, brown sugar, and butter to a sauce pan. Turn on medium heat and allow this to come to a boil stirring it all together. Then turn down to low heat as soon as it comes to a boil. Let it simmer for 1-2 min, until sugar is dissolved.
- Next, remove the sauce from heat and pour in vanilla; mix well.
- Then pour the sauce into the oats. Mix until they are completely coated.
- Pour the gooey mixture into your 8×8 glass pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray and covered with parchment paper.
- Press together firmly with a separate piece of parchment paper until its packed down.
- Layer the top with chocolate chips. Immediately press them down.
- Make sure its all packed firmly together. Finally, let it cool for about 1.5-2 hours.
- Note: If you prefer to make them a little harder you could refrigerate them for 30 min.
- After the rest time cut into bars and store at room temperature for up to a week.
Homemade Granola Bars From Scratch
This sweet treat is a great grab and go snack for the whole family. It's so easy even the kids can make this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups of quick oats
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vailla extract
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick spray; then cover the inside of pan with parchment paper.
- In a sauce pan bring the butter, honey, and brown sugar to a boil and stir. Once it comes to a boil reduce temperature so it will simmer for approximately 1-2 min. Make sure to stir and simmer until all the sugar is dissolved. Once sugar is dissolved take off the heat.
- Pour in the vanilla extract, after removing from heat and stir.
- Pour this warm sauce over the oats and mix until everything is coated well.
- Put well coated oats into 8x8 pan and press down firmly with parchment paper.
- Immediately spread chocolate chips on top and press them into the granola bars evenly.
- Let them at room temperature for 2 hours and then cut them into bars.
Notes
Cut and store at room temperature in an airtight tote for up to a week. With our family, they only last a few days because they love them so much.
The two hour cool time is important or they will fall apart. To help them stick together better you can refrigerate the bars up to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 6.3gCarbohydrates: 24.2gProtein: 1.6g
Variations
If you wanted to make these healthier, you could always go with organic ingredients. You could also switch out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips.
Also, for those who do not eat chocolate, you could add butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even add nuts.
NOTE: Instead of using all oats you could use toasted rice cereal. You would replace 1/2 a cup of oats with one cup of toasted rice ceral. This variation is sweeter. This is not as healthy but a good option for a sweeter taste.
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Share your thoughts
I would love to hear from you to see how you liked this recipe. Leave me a comment below, and if you liked this recipe give me a 5 star review.
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Omg, this recipe is just perfect.
Thank you!
I am a granola bar addict! These are so easy to make and delicious.
Yes they are super easy! I don’t mind making them at all and it saves me money! Plus they are so stinking good!
Oohh my kiddo would love these! I might like subbing butterscotch or white chocolate chips 😍
My kids are in love! They take them to school for their snack almost everyday.
Yum, now I want to make sone myself. I love making them, you can add anything to them. I like cranberries and raisins in nine during the fall. Thanks for sharing!
Feel free to add the things you like! I’m sure it will make them even better!
These look yummy! I really need to try them!
Yes!!! Let me know how you guys like them.
I love making homemade granola bars and these look great. This recipe is fairly different from the one I normally make, so I can’t wait to give it a try and see how it compares. I’m sure my family will love them.
It’s super easy! I hope you enjoy them!
What a great idea – perfect for bushwalking snacks – thanks for the post
Yes! You should try them!
Wow – AND no bake? Excellent they sound delicious!
They are so good! I have to double the recipe since school started because the kids eat them for snack and I run out so fast.