Who needs store-bought snacks when you can make chewy granola bars at home? Made with simple pantry staples and ready in about 20 minutes, they’re perfect for busy mornings, lunchboxes, or an easy after-school treat.
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Why You’ll Love These Sweet And Salty Granola Bars
I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone who didn't love a granola bar. Growing up, they always felt like such a treat. Before making these, I had never tried making granola bars from scratch, but once I did, I couldn’t believe how simple they were. I stuck with basic pantry staples we almost always have on hand, and they came together so easily.
And honestly, that’s what makes them so good. When you make granola bars yourself, you know exactly what’s going on, and the texture turns out just right… soft in the center, lightly crisp around the edges, and sweet without being over-the-top. They have that homemade feel that’s hard to beat. Why you’ll love these junkless granola bars:
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Soft and chewy texture
- Kid-approved and adult-loved
- Easy to customize with mix-ins
- Perfect for meal prep
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Quick oats- The base of the bars. Rolled oats can work, but the texture will be slightly heartier.
- Rice Krispies cereal- Adds lightness and a subtle crunch. You can swap with another crisp rice cereal.
- Ground cinnamon- Adds warmth. Feel free to omit or replace with pumpkin pie spice.
- Kosher salt- Balances the sweetness. Regular salt works, but use a little less.
- Butter- Helps bind everything together. Coconut oil can be substituted.
- Honey- Naturally sweetens and acts as a binder. Maple syrup can be used, but the texture of the bars may be slightly softer.
- Brown sugar- Adds moisture and depth. Light or dark both work.
- Vanilla extract- Enhances flavor. Pure is preferred.
- Mini chocolate chips- Semi-sweet mini chips have just the right balance between sweet and bitter, but milk or dark chocolate works too.
How To Make Easy Homemade Granola Bars
Step 1- Mix the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat an 8” x 8” baking pan with cooking spray, then line it with parchment paper, leaving a couple of inches hanging over the sides. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients thoroughly, setting aside a couple of tablespoons of chocolate chips before mixing so you can sprinkle them on top later.
Step 2- Press into the pan and bake.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and press it down into an even layer. Use a flat-bottomed drinking glass to firmly compact the mixture so the bars hold together well.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top turns lightly golden. Allow the bars to cool completely, about an hour.
Step 5- Slice and serve.
Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang. Cut once across the center, then slice in the opposite direction to create 12 bars, and serve right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Just use certified gluten-free oats and a gluten-free crisp rice cereal.
Definitely. You can slice them into bite-sized squares for snack trays or little hands.
You can. Just use a 9x13-inch pan and keep an eye on the baking time. They may need a few extra minutes.
Tips For Making The Best Granola Bars
- If your honey is thick, gently warm it for 30 seconds in the microwave to help everything mix more evenly and bind better.
- Sprinkle reserved chips on top, pressing them lightly into the surface before baking. This helps them stick and gives homemade chewy granola bars a bakery-style look.
- Let the bars set completely before cutting. This helps them stay neat and hold their shape instead of crumbling.
- If you prefer less sweetness, you can slightly reduce the brown sugar without affecting the texture too much.
- Swap out the mini chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, dried fruit, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, or mini M&Ms.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Measure out the dry ingredients and melt the butter.
- Leftovers and storage- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap individually and store up to a month, or freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
What To Serve With These Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
These pair perfectly with a simple breakfast spread or afternoon snack plate. Add protein and fruit to turn them into a more balanced option. Here are my favorite combos for this easy granola bars recipe:
Other Tasty Bar Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Chewy Granola Bars
Equipment
- 8" x 8" baking pan
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large pinch kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- ½ cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degreesF. Spray cooking spray onto an 8" x 8" baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving a couple inches out on the sides (for easy removal later). Set aside.
- Mix all ingredients well in a large mixing bowl (pull aside a couple tablespoons of chocolate chips before adding them for topping later).
- Pour the granola into the prepared pan and press in to form an even layer. Then take a cup with a flat bottom and use that to press it in even tighter.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until it's beginning to turn golden. Cool completely (around an hour).
- Pull the extra parchment on the sides to remove the granola bar in one piece. Cut once in across the center and then slice in the other direction to get 12 bars total. Serve immediately or store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week.
Video
Notes
- If your honey is thick, gently warm it for 30 seconds in the microwave to help everything mix more evenly and bind better.
- Sprinkle reserved chips on top, pressing them lightly into the surface before baking. This helps them stick and gives homemade chewy granola bars a bakery-style look.
- Let the bars set completely before cutting. This helps them stay neat and hold their shape instead of crumbling.
- If you prefer less sweetness, you can slightly reduce the brown sugar without affecting the texture too much.
- Swap out the mini chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, dried fruit, chopped nuts, mini marshmallows, or mini M&Ms.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Measure out the dry ingredients and melt the butter.
- Leftovers and storage- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap individually and store up to a month, or freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
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