Easy Granola Bars
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
14 mins
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Cook Time
1 min
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
160 kcal
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Course
Snacks
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Cuisine
gluten-free
Easy Granola Bars
Description
The Easy Granola Bars recipe mixes dry ingredients like oats, salt, and optional additions such as dried fruit or seeds with a warm, liquid blend of honey and peanut butter. Boiling the honey for one minute before combining with peanut butter creates a syrup that evenly coats the oats and mix-ins for cohesion. Pressing the mixture firmly into a parchment-lined pan and adding optional toppings like melted chocolate chips before cooling ensures bars hold shape and texture.
The flavor balances sweet and nutty elements from honey and peanut butter, complemented by texture from oats and optional nuts or fruit. This recipe offers flexibility to adapt to vegan diets by substituting maple syrup for honey, nut-free options by using seed butters, and increased protein by adding hemp hearts or powder. The bars are stored easily and cut into portions appropriate for snacks or lunchboxes.
The instructions include tips for preparing variations and highlight that melting chocolate on top adds a crunchy contrast. Rolling the oats mixture tightly in the pan helps prevent crumbling once set. The recipe is straightforward and designed for those who want homemade bars with control over ingredients and texture.
Ingredients
Granola Bars
- 2 cups rolled oats use certified gluten-free if needed, old-fashioned
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt sea salt
Optional toppings or Mix-Ins
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips , melted
- 1/4 cup raisin or dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup almonds see notes for tips, or hemp hearts
Instructions
- Pour the oats, salt, and any of the optional dry mix-ins, like hemp hearts, into a large bowl and stir well, then set it aside. Lightly grease a 9-inch square pan with cooking spray and press a square of parchment paper into the bottom. (The oil will hold the parchment paper in place, so it doesn't move around later.)
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the honey to a boil. Set a timer and allow the honey to boil for 1 minute, without stirring.
- Remove from the pan of honey from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. As soon as the mixture is smooth, pour it over the oats.
- Use a spatula to stir quickly, coating the oats evenly with the peanut butter mixture. It will harden as it cools, so it may become more difficult to stir as it cools down.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, and press it very firmly into the bottom. If you're adding any of the optional toppings, like the melted chocolate, you can spread it over the top now. For extra crunch, you can sprinkle chopped almonds or other nuts on top of the melted chocolate, too.
- Let the granola bars cool in the fridge for freezer for up to 30 minutes, then use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and slice them into 12 pieces. These granola bars can be kept at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months if you'd like to make a larger batch. They can thaw overnight in the fridge.
Notes
- Use maple syrup to make the bars vegan instead of honey.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- Increase protein by replacing part of the oats with hemp hearts or protein powder.
- Add nuts or dried fruit either mixed in initially or pressed onto the top before cooling.
- Press mixture firmly into pan to improve bar cohesion and reduce crumbling.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 160 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 160kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.002g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 145mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 103mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 23IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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