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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 8x8 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.