These chewy granola bars are the right wholesome snack for teenagers (and adults). They’re gluten-free, nut-free, straightforward to make and nice for meal prep!
I’ve a number of totally different granola bar recipes on my website already (like these chocolate peanut butter granola bars and chocolate chip almond granola bars), however these chewy granola bars are my new fave!
I’ve made these granola bars so many occasions since first testing them as a result of my kiddos love them a lot and so they don’t final lengthy in our home.
They remind me of the Quaker chewy granola bars that I used to eat on a regular basis rising up, however these are made with better-for-you components like rolled oats, honey, brown rice cereal and chia seeds. No corn syrup, soybean oil or added preservatives over right here!
One other bonus is that these do-it-yourself granola bars are nut-free, making them an awesome snack choice to pack in your kiddo’s lunch field.
and the Google Privateness Coverage and
Phrases of Service apply.
Why You’ll Love These Granola Bars
- More healthy and cheaper – In relation to store-bought granola bars it may be onerous to seek out ones that aren’t loaded with added sugar and tremendous lengthy ingredient checklist. These granola bars usually are not solely made with easy, healthful components, however they’re additionally cheaper than store-bought granola bars.
- Simple – These granola bars are tremendous straightforward to make and there’s no want to show by yourself! Simply combine, press and chill.
- Nice for meal prep – Make a batch (or two) at the beginning of the week for a handy, grab-and-go snack that’s prepared everytime you want it.
- College-Secure – These granola bars are such a success with my kiddos and so they’re nut free, making them secure to take to highschool. For an additional nut free choice, attempt these nut free granola bars and for extra lunch field concepts try my full submit with numerous child’s lunch field concepts.
- unsalted butter – butter provides a wealthy taste and it helps bind the components collectively.
- honey – a pure sweetener that helps maintain the bars chewy.
- mild brown sugar – provides a touch of molasses taste and helps obtain that good chewy texture all of us love.
- rolled oats – a key element of those bars, rolled oats are hearty and add a chewy texture. Plus, they’re wealthy in fiber and will help maintain you feeling happy.
- chia seeds – these tiny seeds add a dietary enhance with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. Plus, they assist maintain the bars collectively.
- crispy rice cereal – I really like the added crunch that rice cereal provides to those granola bars!
- dried cranberries – these add a chewy, tart factor that pairs completely with the sweetness of the bars.
- mini chocolate chips – I like to recommend Take pleasure in Life mini chocolate chips however be at liberty to make use of your favourite mini chocolate chips or chop up your favourite chocolate bar and toss the chocolate chunks in!
Recipe Substitutions
- Brown rice cereal – That is what offers them slightly crunch and makes the bars style like store-bought granola bars. In case you can’t discover brown rice crisp cereal you need to use common Rice Krispies.
- Butter – In case you don’t have butter, or need to maintain this recipe dairy-free, I like to recommend utilizing vegan butter.
- Chia seeds – You’ll be able to completely skip these for those who don’t have any readily available or use one other kind of seed of their place, resembling flax seeds or hemp seeds.
- Totally different sweeteners – I’ve made these bars with maple syrup as a substitute of honey and so they turned out nice. In case you don’t have brown sugar readily available coconut sugar ought to work simply wonderful.
- Add-ins – Be happy to customise these granola bars together with your favourite mix-in’s. Skip the chocolate chips or substitute them with chopped nuts/seeds like almonds, pecans, walnuts or sunflower seeds. And you’ll substitute the cranberries with different dried fruits like raisins, dates, dried cherries or dried apricots.
Tips on how to Make Chewy Granola Bars
Step 1: Add butter, honey, brown sugar and salt to a small saucepan over medium-low warmth. Warmth till combination begins to foam then take away from warmth and add vanilla.
Step 2: Add your oats, chia seeds, cereal and cranberries to a medium mixing bowl. Toss to mix.
Step 3: Pour the honey combination over the oat combination and toss to mix. Let sit for about 10 minutes after which stir within the chocolate chips.
Step 4: Press the bars into an 8×8 sq. baking dish, ensuring to press them down as onerous as doable. As you press, add a number of mini chocolate chips on high if you would like. Place the bars within the fridge to set for not less than 2 hours. Reduce into bars and revel in.
Brittany’s Tip!
To forestall the bars from falling aside, be sure to essentially use some muscle to press the combination firmly into the baking dish. And don’t overlook to allow them to to relax for not less than 2 hours within the fridge earlier than chopping. This enables the bars set correctly and makes them simpler to chop.
Storing Granola Bars
Among the finest issues about these granola bars is that they retailer rather well and are good for meal prep!
After the bars have set, lower and retailer them in an hermetic container (like a Stasher bag or glass container) within the fridge for 1 week or within the freezer for as much as 3 months. I wish to retailer them after being lower so that they’re able to seize and go! In case you do freeze them, simply thaw within the fridge or at room temperature earlier than having fun with them.
Often Requested Questions
Two issues possible occurred in case your granola bars are too dry or crumbly:
1. You didn’t let the honey and butter combination come to a low boil. Cooking till the combination bubbles reduces the combination and is the “glue” that holds the bars collectively!
2. You didn’t press onerous sufficient! You actually need to press the combination into the pan lined with parchment paper. Put your again into it and compact that combination!
In case you can’t “save” your granola bars I guess they’re nonetheless scrumptious loved like granola! Simply you’ll want to observe the following tips for subsequent time you make the bars.
Completely! Be happy to customise these granola bars together with your favourite mix-in’s. Chopped nuts or seeds like almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are all nice choices. And you’ll substitute the cranberries with different dried fruits like raisins, dates, dried cherries or dried apricots.
Extra Snacks to Attempt
Be sure you try my full assortment of snack recipes right here on EBF!
In case you loved this recipe, please contemplate leaving a ⭐ star ranking and let me know the way it went within the 📝 feedback under.
