Perfect Perfect Homemade Granola Bars (+7 flavors!)

This post shows you how to make perfect homemade granola bars, plus 7 different flavor variations! The perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your morning coffee.

Like the perfect no bake energy bites, homemade granola bars are a staple in my meal prep routine. I love how easy they are to make (no baking) and that I know exactly what goes into them!

Perfectly chewy and easy to customize, I also happen to think these granola bars taste way better than store bought! Keep a stash in your fridge for when you are craving something sweet.

Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!

Ingredient notes

• honey- acts to bind as well as sweeten these bars. Maple syrup does not work in these bars, and other alternatives have not been tested.
• coconut oil- also acts to bind; butter may work but has not been tested. Liquid oils may not be swapped.
• rolled oats- may also be called ‘old fashioned’ or ‘large flake’ oats; do not use quick oats or steel cut oats for this recipe.
• mini chocolate chips- I highly recommend using the mini chips over regular sized as they are not overly hard when refrigerated, and they help you get chocolate in every bite.

Step by step directions

1. Simmer honey & coconut oil- Place a pot on a kitchen scale and weigh out* the honey and coconut oil. If you are making a variety with nut butter, add it in too.

Bring the pot to a simmer, and when it looks like it does in the image above (lots of bubbles), start a timer. Cook for exactly 1 minute, then remove the pot from the heat.

*alternatively, you can use measuring cups, but weighing the pot helps avoid the extra dishes

2. Add vanilla & salt- Stir in the vanilla extract and pinch of salt, then let the pot sit for 10-15 minutes to cool slightly.

3. Add dry ingredients- After the mixture has cooled for 10-15 minutes, stir in the rolled oats, chopped almonds and chocolate chips. Use a spatula to mix it in evenly. The chocolate chips might melt, but that’s OK- it helps hold the bars together.

4. Press into baking pan- Line a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment or aluminum foil. Press the granola bar mixture into the pan- HARD. You want to do multiple rounds with your spatula. You can also pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes, and do a second round of pressing. This is key to prevent bars from crumbling.

Scatter a few extra chocolate chips into the top of the bars and press them in gently.

💡 TIP- spray the spatula with oil to prevent sticking.

5. Refrigerate- Chill for 4 hours- overnight before cutting them into bars.

FAQ

Storage + meal prep

You MUST store these granola bars in the fridge, otherwise they become too soft and will crumble.

• fridge- stored in an airtight container, they are good for 1 week in the fridge.
• freezer- wrap loosely in parchment paper, and place in a meal prep container or sturdy freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

7 flavor variations

Find full recipes in the card below

1. Classic Chocolate Chip– 1/2 cup almonds and 1/4 cup chocolate chips
2. Almond Butter Snickerdoodle– 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/3 cup natural almond butter, 1/4 cup toffee bits
3. Monster Cookie– 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup mini M & M’s, 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
4. Double Chocolate– 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
5. Fruit & Nut– 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds + pecans), 1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries + blueberries)
6. Mocha– 1 tablespoon espresso powder, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
7. Peanut Butter– 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped almonds or other nuts

More healthy snacks

☆ Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave me a review and star rating in the comments below. Your reviews help so much!

Print Recipe

PERFECT Homemade Granola Bars (+ 7 flavors!)

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Low Fat

Calories: 225kcal

Servings: 12 bars

This post shows you how to make homemade granola bars, plus 7 different flavor variations! The perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your morning coffee.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time2 mins

chill + resting time4 hrs 15 mins

Total Time4 hrs 27 mins

Ingredients

Monster Cookie Granola Bars

Double Chocolate Granola Bars

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Almond Butter Snickerdoodle Granola Bars

Instructions

• Simmer- Combine honey, coconut oil and nut butter (if using) in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer, and once pot starts bubbling up all over, start the timer for 1.5 minutes (for chocolate chip & fruit & nut) or 1 minute (for all others).

• Rest- When time is up, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, cocoa powder (for double chocolate), cinnamon (for snickerdoodle almond butter), espresso powder (for mocha). Let it cool down for 10-15 minutes.

• Pan- While pot is cooling, prepare a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper (I secure mine with binder clips).

• Add dry ingredients- Stir in all remaining ingredients until evenly coated and press into the prepared pan. Spray a spatula with oil and press down into the pan. Press firmly (I go through and press 2-3 times, spraying spatula again as needed).

• Chill- Cool in the fridge for 4 hours- overnight (overnight is best!), before slicing into bars.

Notes

1- honey is crucial to binding these bars; do not replace with maple syrup. Other liquid sweeteners have not been tested.
2- it may be possible to swap coconut oil for butter, however I have not tested.
3- rolled oats are sometimes called ‘old fashioned’ or ‘large flake’. Do not swap for quick or steel cut oats.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1classic chocolate chip granola bar | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1.2mg