Last Updated on March 24, 2022 by Anne-Marie

Not only is it easy to make homemade granola bars, but they're also a fun, kid-favorite treat.

Why this recipe works

This homemade granola bars recipe is super versatile.

Add your favorite mix-ins to this granola bar recipe like chocolate chips, almonds, and cranberries.

Or try sunflower seeds, pecans, shredded coconut, and cashews. Up to you!

You can also make substitutions so it's nut-free, sugar-free, vegan, gluten free, and a healthy snack.

How to make homemade granola bars

This is the basic granola bar recipe. Once you got it down, add different mix-ins, and customize it to your tastes and snacking needs.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave a few inches of the paper hanging over the edges so you can easily remove the granola bars.

Then spray the inside lightly with cooking spray.

3. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

4. Sprinkle the old-fashioned oats and almonds over the baking sheet. Mix with a spoon or your fingers until spread evenly over the sheet.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the mixture toasted and lightly browned.

6. Remove from oven, pour the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and set aside to cool.

7. In a small saucepan, add honey, butter, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted.

8. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

9. Pour mixture over the oat mixture. Stir until well combined. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.

10. Stir in the cranberries and chocolate until completely combined.

11. Immediately press the granola into a square baking dish.

12. Add more chips on the top if you like.

13. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

14. Remove from pan and cut into bars.

16. Store the bars in an airtight container.

See how easy it is to make these Awesome Homemade Granola Bars in this Google Web Story.

What kind of oatmeal should I use?

This recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats.

Not instant oats. Not 1-minute quick oats. You want a whole oat that’s nice and chewy.

If you’re gluten free, make sure to buy certified gluten free oats like Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashion Rolled Oats.

FAQs

Why aren't these no-bake bars?

Sure it's convenient to make no-bake granola bars. But I love the taste of toasty, crunchy oats, and nuts and that means baking.

Plus, cooking the bars enables the bars to hold together without using a lot of honey, maple syrup, and butter.

How to make nut-free bars

If you’re nut-free, leave out the almonds and add more cranberries and chocolate.

If you’d like to keep some of that crunch, add in your favorite healthy cereal.

Corn flakes would be perfect since they’re similar in shape and size to almonds.

A rice krispies type cereal would work, too. Or you can add gluten free Cheerios (plain or flavored) to the mix.

There’s no need to toast the cereal. Instead, add it in when you add the cranberries and chocolate to the recipe.

How to make vegan homemade granola bars

Honey: instead of honey you can use agave or maple syrup.

Butter: use a vegan butter spread or coconut oil that’s solid at room temperature.

Chocolate: use vegan chocolate like Enjoy Life Baking Chocolate Semi-Sweet Mini Chips. These are certified as vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.

These mini chocolate chips are yummy!

Can I make sugar free granola bars?

You can reduce the sugar if you use Swerve Sweetener, Brown.

I love using this natural, no-calorie brown sugar substitute as it cooks and bakes up just like regular brown sugar with no funky aftertaste.

You can also try:

• Sukrin Gold - Natural Brown Sugar Alternative
• Health Garden Monk Fruit Sweetener, Golden

If you want to go 100% sugar-free, you have to find a substitute for the honey, too.

So try a sugar-free syrup that's made with a natural sweetener like:

• Wholesome Yum Keto Maple Syrup
• Lakanto Sugar-Free Maple Syrup

These syrups aren't as thick as honey, so use a little less.

What kind of chocolate should I use?

This is a terrific recipe for using up leftover chocolate from making cookies and other treats.

You can use dark, semi-sweet, milk or white chocolate chips, or mini-chocolate chips.

If you’re dairy free, gluten free, or vegan, I recommend Enjoy Life Baking Chocolate Semi-Sweet Mini Chips.

What other mix-ins can I use?

Have fun with this basic granola bar recipe and add different mix-ins such as:

• shredded coconut
• sunflower seeds
• pecans
• cashews
• chopped dates
• unsweetened coconut flakes
• dried cherries
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
• crushed banana chips or plantain chips
• dried pineapple
• dried blueberries
• dried apricots
• M&Ms

Can I add peanut butter or another nut butter to these?

Oh my gosh, of course you can!

Add 1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter when you add in the vanilla and salt. Stir well to combine.

You can also use sunflower butter if you're allergic to peanut butter.

If you're trying to go sugar-free or lessen the sugar, look for Kroger Natural Creamy Peanut Butter. All it contains is peanuts and salt. That's it!

(You can find it at any Kroger affiliate grocery store.)

I use it in my Homemade Peanut Butter Cups and it's creamy and delicious.

How to cut the homemade granola bars

I have a friend who's a perfectionist and gets out a long straight edge ruler and knife to cut her brownies and bars.

But you can cut these any way you like – squares, rectangles, straight, crooked, even, or whatever.

All you need is a sharp knife.

How to store the bars

Store them in an airtight container or Ziploc baggie in the fridge or freezer. They should be good for a week in the refrigerator or a couple of months in the freezer.

If you're going to freeze a batch, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers so the bars don't stick together.

Also, you'll need to let frozen bars thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes before snacking.

More tips for making the best granola bars

Butter: use unsalted butter not salted butter. It’s sweeter than salted butter and tastes better in my opinion.

However, if you only have salted butter in the fridge, eliminate adding any more salt to the recipe.

No honey? You can also use sorghum syrup, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, or agave nectar.

These syrups aren't as thick as honey, so use a little less. (See 14 Best Substitutes for Maple Syrup for more syrup substitute ideas.)

Cranberry substitutions: If you’re not a fan of cranberries, you can substitute raisins or other dried fruit cut into cranberry-sized pieces.

More easy snack recipes

Add this to your Best Candy & Gifts for Gluten-Free Easter Baskets.

Looking for more easy snack recipes? Try these:

If you love peanut butter try Homemade Peanut Butter Cups or these Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies.

Chocolate fans will love this Easy Fudge Recipe.

This Easy Coconut Macaroons Recipe is gluten free and dairy free.

Muffins make terrific snacks. Try these gluten free Banana Oatmeal Muffins.

What's your favorite healthy snack?