Homemade Granola Bars
User Reviews
5
Homemade Granola Bars
Description
This recipe begins by toasting rolled oats and chopped almonds to develop a nutty flavor. Meanwhile, a sauce of melted butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, chia seeds, and salt is prepared over medium heat until sugar dissolves. The warm butter mixture is poured over the toasted oats and almonds, then mixed in dried cranberries and golden raisins. After cooling slightly, mini chocolate chips are stirred in to maintain their shape during baking.
The mixture is firmly pressed into a parchment-lined 9-inch pan to ensure the bars hold together after baking. Additional mini chocolate chips are sprinkled on top before baking until set. Cooling completely before cutting helps the bars hold their shape and develop a chewy texture.
These granola bars offer a balance of textures from the crunchy nuts and chewy dried fruits, combined with sweet chocolate pieces. They can be customized with other nuts or dried fruits as preferred.
Cutting the bars is easier with a warm, clean knife. Chilling the bars before slicing improves clean cuts and prevents crumbling. Letting bars come to room temperature before serving makes them chewier.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats old fashioned
- ½ cup almond whole, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup butter unsalted
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup golden raisin dried
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips plus extra as needed
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line bottom of a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. Then lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray.
- Combine the oats and roughly chopped almonds to a small baking sheet then bake 10 minutes until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.
- While the oats are toasting, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract seeds, chia and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until butter melts and the sugar completely dissolves, making sure to stir occasionally. Pour the butter mixture over the toasted oats and almonds and add the cranberries and golden raisins. Mix well. Let cool for 15 minutes then add the mini chocolate chips. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the oat mixture to prepared pan. Using a rubber spatula or clean hands and firmly press the mixture into the pan until the mixture is in a uniform layer. Really press it down so you don't wind up with loose granola. Scatter remaining a few extra tablespoons of mini chocolate chips over the granola bars and use the same rubber spatula to gently press them into the granola so they stick. Transfer the entire pan to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours.
- After the granola has cooled completely, gently lift it out of the pan using the parchment paper as handles and cut it into squares or bars. Serve as needed.
Notes
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to ensure granola bars hold together well.
- Warm and dry your knife before slicing bars for cleaner cuts without crumbling.
- Chill granola bars before cutting to improve firmness and ease of slicing.
- Allow bars to come to room temperature after cutting for a chewier texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 260 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 260kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 13mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 66mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 171mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 22g | 44% |
| Vitamin A | 152IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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