These homemade chewy granola bars are the perfect grab-and-go snack for the kiddos. You can customize this recipe with your favorite mix-ins and create up to four delicious flavors. Unlike store-bought chewy granola bars loaded with ingredients like soybean oil, corn syrup, and preservatives, this homemade version is made with wholesome, nourishing ingredients. They’re easy to make, naturally sweetened, and perfect for kids and adults alike!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is super versatile. I’ve included four delicious flavor variations you can easily make at home, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy— chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate, double chocolate, and fruity. But you can also add in any other mix-ins that you’d like— like marshmallows, white chocolate, and nuts. The options are endless with these homemade chewy granola bars!

They’re perfect for grab-and-go. I’m always on the lookout for grab-and-go snacks the kids actually enjoy— ones that keep them full, satisfied, and energized throughout the day. These homemade chewy bars are the perfect healthy snack for when you’re in a pinch— plus they’re great to pack in your kiddos lunch box for back-to-school.

These chewy bars are actually good for you. Store-bought chewy granola bars contain unhealthy ingredients— like soybean oil, corn syrup, preservatives, and more. My homemade version is made from wholesome ingredients that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

They’re easy to make. Making healthy homemade versions of your favorite store-bought staples doesn’t have to be hard. All you need is a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry and some basic kitchen tools to make these homemade chewy granola bars!

Ingredients

Make these homemade chewy granola bars 4 different ways!

For the Base

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 6 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar or maple sugar
  • ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups puffed rice cereal
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup protein powder optional

Chocolate Chip

  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

  • 4 tbsp peanut butter in place of 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Double Chocolate Chip

  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips melted, and divided (Mix 1 tbsp of melted chocolate into the batter, and drizzle the rest on top of the granola bars)
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Fruity

  • 1/4 cup of dried fruit of choice (like strawberries, raisins, blueberries)

How to Make Homemade Chewy Bars

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, coconut sugar, and honey together. (If making the peanut butter chocolate chip flavor, substitute 4 tbsp of melted butter with 4 tbsp of peanut butter.) Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add vanilla extract then remove it from the heat to cool slightly.

4. Spread out the oats onto a baking sheet, and toast them in the oven for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely for the oats to turn golden brown and then take them out right away. This will enhance the flavor of the oats.

5. In a large bowl, combine the oats, puffed rice cereal, protein powder (if using) and salt. Pour the slightly cooled butter, sugar, and honey mixture over the oat mixture, and stir to coat. (If making the double chocolate chip flavor, mix in 1 tbsp of melted chocolate here.) Allow the mixture to cool until no longer hot to the touch before adding in your mix-ins of choice.

6. Once cool, stir in the chocolate chips (if using) otherwise they will melt. You can also add in dried fruit or any other mix-ins you’d like.

7. Press the mixture into the pan firmly using another piece of parchment paper so they won’t stick to your hands. Chill for an hour in the fridge before cutting, to ensure crisp lines when you cut them.

8. Store the chewy bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze bars in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To eat, thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Servings: 12 bars

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

These homemade chewy granola bars are the perfect healthy and delicious grab-and-go snack. You can customize this recipe with your favorite mix-ins and create four delicious flavors.
Print Recipe
Total Time 1 hour
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 6 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar or maple sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups puffed rice cereal
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup protein powder optional
Chocolate Chip
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
  • 4 tbsp peanut butter in place of 4 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Double Chocolate Chip
  • 1/4 cup melted mini chocolate chips divided
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Fruity
  • 1/4 cup dried fruit of choice like strawberries, raisins, blueberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, coconut sugar, and honey together. (If making the peanut butter chocolate chip flavor, substitute 4 tbsp of melted butter with 4 tbsp of peanut butter.) Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add vanilla extract then remove it from the heat to cool slightly.
  4. Spread out the oats onto a baking sheet, and toast them in the oven for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely for the oats to turn golden brown and then take them out right away. This will enhance the flavor of the oats.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the oats, puffed rice cereal, protein powder (if using) and salt. Pour the slightly cooled butter, sugar, and honey mixture over the oat mixture, and stir to coat. (If making the double chocolate chip flavor, mix in 1 tbsp of melted chocolate here.) Allow the mixture to cool until no longer hot to the touch before adding in your mix-ins of choice.
  6. Once cool, stir in the chocolate chips (if using) otherwise they will melt. You can also add in dried fruit or any other mix-ins you'd like.
  7. Press the mixture into the pan firmly using another piece of parchment paper so they won’t stick to your hands. Chill for an hour in the fridge before cutting, to ensure crisp lines when you cut them.
  8. Store the chewy bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

For longer storage, freeze bars in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To eat, thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Want to Learn How to Make More Healthy Recipes From Scratch?

Once you start swapping store-bought staples for healthier, homemade alternatives– you won’t ever go back! There is nothing better than creating wholesome meals for your family that are nourishing and delicious! Which is why I created my recipe guide– Staples Made Simple. It’s full of healthier, from-scratch versions of your favorite kitchen staples that you and your family will love. Grab a copy today, and fill your kitchen with delicious and simple recipes just like this these!

Did you make my homemade chewy granola bars recipe? Let me know in the comments! And to explore the latest recipes on the blog, check out my recent posts:

 

  • Hey there! I’m Selina. 

    A homesteading momma obsessed with living a healthy, holistic lifestyle— teaching you how to do the same!

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