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Granola bars are a favourite snack of many people. There are many brands that make great granola bars, but nothing compares to homemade ones! These homemade granola bars are fresh and flavourful, and you can make them exactly how you like.
Enjoy these bars at breakfast, as a pre-workout snack, in a packed lunch, or whenever you’re hungry!
Are Cereal Bars a Healthy Snack?
It’s fair to say that not all cereal bars are healthy… there are some store-bought versions that are basically candy. But my version is definitely healthy! They’re packed with fiber, healthy fats and protein thanks to the seeds, oats and nut butter. These bars are only sweetened with honey so they’re much healthier than cereal bars you’d find in the grocery store that are typically loaded with added sugars and oil.
It’s true that not all cereal bars are healthy. Store-bought varieties are often little more than candy bars in disguise. However, these homemade recipe for cereal bars uses only nutritious ingredients like oats, seeds and nut butter to create a tasty treat that’s much better for you than the average cereal bar. And because these treats are sweetened with honey instead of sugar or oil, they are much healthier than their store-bought ones.
Here are some baked and no-bake granola bar recipes here, and some of these variations can be made either way.
Why make your own granola bars when you can buy them so easily at the store?
Yes, you can buy granola bars at the store. But have you read the ingredients on some of those bars? By making your own healthy granola bars at home, you know exactly what is in them and can control what goes into them:
* You can make your granola bars as sweet or as bitter as you like by varying the ingredients used.
* Save money and time. No need to make a trip to the store!
* You can make any dietary restriction work!
* Make a few batches for the week and store them in your fridge for quick and easy grab-and-go snacks. Put some in your lunch box on Sunday, ready to eat during the week.
5-Ingredient Granola Bars
These no-bake granola bars are a delicious and healthy snack that you can make in less than 5 minutes! Made with just 5 simple ingredients, they’re the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack. These bars are gluten-free and vegan.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
* 1 cup of dates
* 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (or honey if not vegan)
* 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter
* 1 cup of chopped roasted unsalted almonds
* 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free or not )
* Chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla or everything you want in these bars. Be creative .
Instructions
* Blend dates in a food processor until small pieces remain (about 1 minute). The mixture should have the consistency of a ” dough “.
* Combine oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl – set aside.
* Heat maple syrup (or agave or honey) and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Mix and then pour over the oat mixture and stir, breaking up the dates to scatter them.
* When well combined, transfer to a 20 cm x 20 cm baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so that they will come apart easily.
* Press the bars firmly until they are evenly flattened
* Place a baking sheet or plastic wrap over the top and let harden in the refrigerator or freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
* Remove the bars from the pan and cut them into 10 equal bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days, or in the freezer if you want to keep them longer.
Substitutions
If you don’t like peanut butter, you can use almond, sunflower seed, or another type of nut or seed butter. To keep these vegan, use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey. To keep them gluten-free, use gluten-free oats.That’s it!
Granola Bars – 12 Delicious Ways to Make Them
If you like to experiment with flavors on your own, this base recipe is the perfect place to start. In the full recipe below, you’ll find the ingredients that you need for 12 variations.
Ingredients
* Natural Nut or Seed Butter: Natural nut or seed butters like almond, peanut, cashew, sunflower seed and pumpkin seed butter can be used for this recipe.
* Coconut Oil
* Natural Sweetener: To keep these granola bars vegan, you can use a natural sweetener such as maple syrup or agave syrup. You can also use honey for non-vegan version.
*
* Vanilla extract: To set the stage for all your flavours.
* Salt
* Gluten-Free Oats:
* Gluten-Free Rice Crisps: To make low-carb and paleo bars, use a mixture of sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.
* Grated unsweetened coconut
* Water
* Whole nuts: Almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc. Leave these out if you have a nut allergy.
A few additional ingredients for some variations
Here are a few tasty ingredients you can use to make your own homemade granola bars.
* Dried Fruit:
* Chocolate Chips
* Add your favourite dehydrated fruits for a pop of sweetness!
* Seeds like Chia , Sunflower seeds or Pumpkin Seeds:
Instructions
1. Set up the pan: Layer a parchment paper in an 20×20 cm pan, leaving a slight gap for easy removal of the bars, and set aside.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients & Flavorings: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt together the almond butter, honey and coconut oil. Heat to a gentle boil, while stirring, then let boil to thicken the mixture. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt (if using).
3. Mix in the dry ingredients and water: Add the oats, then the crispy rice cereal, shredded coconut and finally the water. Mix until everything is well combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan: Using a flat spatula, press very firmly to flatten the mixture until it is tight and compressed. Mix in the almonds and any other optional additions.
5. For Baked Bars: Bake the bars in a preheated oven at 180°C (325°F) for 2o to 25 minutes. Let bars cool completely at room temperature, or freeze for 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into equal bars and serve.
6. For No-Bake Bars: Put the bars in the freezer (or refrigerator) until they set, about 1 hour. Once the bars are set, use the parchment paper to remove them from the pan. Cut into even bars and serve.
Variations
Not sure where to begin flavouring your homemade granola bars?
Below are some favourite granola bar variations, all of which taste great! Try them according to your taste and dietary needs.
1. Strawberry: Strawberry granola bars are delicious and fun to eat, and this recipe proves it. To make them, you just need to slice almonds and dried or freeze-dried strawberries. You can also add in some mini chocolate chips if you’d like!
2. Chocolate Protein: My favourite pre-workout snack is this chocolatey bar. It has dates, chia seeds, your favourite protein powder and whole almonds or pecans. (It’s also great post-workout!)
3.Apple Quinoa: Here’s a vegan variation that uses apple sauce, dried apples and crunchy quinoa. You can also add pecans, walnuts and hemp seeds .
4.No Bake Granola Bars with Chocolate Chips: Classic no-bake energy bars are always a hit. Feel free to choose any kind of chocolate chips you like.
5. Blueberry Almond: Sweet and salty, this blueberry granola bar is vegan, made with Himalayan salt and dried or freeze-dried berries.
6. Pumpkin: This bar is the perfect fall dessert. The pumpkin flavour and spices take you straight to Thanksgiving dinner!
7. Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate: These healthy granola bars are topped with dark chocolate and a sprinkle of coarse sea salt, making them taste like an indulgent dessert!
8.Pistachio Dark Chocolate: Try this sweet and salty version. It’s made with Himalayan Pink Salt, pistachios and mini chocolate chips.
9. Tahini Maple Hemp Seed: This simple variation is delicious when flavoured with maple syrup, tahini and Himalayan salt.
10. Coconut Almond: If you’re following a ketogenic or Palaeolithic diet, you’ll love this granola bar. It contains crunchy nuts and seeds in addition to your favourite chocolate chips.
11. Oatmeal Raisin: This granola bar tastes like a combination of an oatmeal raisin cookie and granola. It’s a classic.
12. Cranberry Almond: In this easy no-bake variation made with date paste, almonds, cranberries and more, each ingredient will become a favourite part of a make-ahead breakfast or snack.
No-Bake Tropical Granola Bars
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
As a Mauritian, I have to share with you this one. It’s my favourite breakfast bar made with tropical fruits. Wrap it up and take it on the go for an ultra-filling breakfast that will help you start your day.
Ingredients
* 1/4 cup unsalted butter
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/3 cup light brown sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt .
* 2 cup quick-cook oats
* 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
* 1 cup tropical dried fruit medley, diced into small pieces ( for example pineapple, mangoes and coconut) I like to make my own dried fruit medley depending on what’s available in summer. If you want to know how to make your own dry fruits, just ask in the comments, i’ll be happy to share.
Instructions
1. Line a 20 cm x 20 cm pan with foil and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, honey and heat on high for 60-90 seconds, or until butter is melted and ingredients can be whisked together.
3. Place the bowl back in the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute. Then stop and whisk.
4. Back into the microwave and heat on high for 1 minute. The mixture should bubble up. You want the mixture to bubble so that the bars hold together well when cooling. If your mixture doesn’t bubble, put the bowl back in the microwave and heat it for another 30-60 seconds, or until it bubbles.
5.Mix in the oats, Rice Krispies, dried fruit and salt.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it down with a spatula to form an even, smooth, flat layer. Be sure to press the mixture firmly and evenly.
7. Freeze for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars have set, and slice into bars. I wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store them in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator for 10 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
Tips to successfully make your cereals bars
Making homemade granola bars is simple, but there are a few tricks that make all the difference. Here are some of our best tips for making the most delicious homemade granola bars:
1.Chill Before Cutting Bars: Chilling your baked bars before slicing them will make for a cleaner cut.
2. Avoid Overbaking: Remember, you don’t have to overbake your bars. If you take them out as soon as the edges are slightly golden brown, they will be crunchy and delicious!
3.Don’t Add Too Many Mix-Ins: When mixing in your mix-ins, be careful not to add too many of them, or the granola bars will crumble.
4.Adjust Consistency: If your granola bar mixture seems too dry, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the ingredients stick together. If the mixture seems too wet, experiment with adding more oats, shredded coconut, ground flaxseed or almond meal to help bind. Eggs, flax eggs and mashed banana are also good for binding.
5.Pour the granola mixture into the pan: To make sure your granola doesn’t crumble apart, pack the mixture very tightly into the pan. Use a spatula or lay a piece of parchment paper over the mixture and press down very hard with your hands.
How to Store Homemade Granola Bars
Granola bars keep best when stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator or freezer. To get the freshest, chewiest result, take them out right before serving.
How long:
Refrigerated bars are best consumed within 7 days, and frozen bars should be enjoyed within 3 months.
How to freeze granola bars: Freeze the bars for 30 minutes. Remove the bars from the tray and place them in freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Here are a few websites to find your ingredients:
Homemade Granola bars are a simple way to add some variety to your diet, and they can be a tasty, nutritious snack that you can enjoy when you’re on the go. They make for a great breakfast food and can also double as an energizing pre-workout snack. Never underestimate the power of a little creativity, too! You can use homemade granola bars to satisfy whatever craving strikes you as long as you always have ingredients around. Enjoy.
Share with me your favourite version of the granola bar.
See you for the next buzz 🐝
DISCLOSURE: Restless Bee is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.
Credit for the photos of this article:, azerbaijan_stockers, freepik,Syed Hussaini, , Brooke Lark,
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