Healthy Homemade Granola Bars (Printable Version)

Crunchy, chewy bars with oats, nuts, seeds, and honey. Perfect wholesome snack ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1/2 cup chopped almonds
03 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
04 - 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

→ Binding & Sweetener

05 - 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
06 - 1/4 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
07 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil
08 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Add-ins (Optional)

10 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free if desired)
11 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
12 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - Spread the oats, almonds, and walnuts on a baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey (or maple syrup), peanut butter, and coconut oil. Stir continuously until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract and salt.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted oats, nuts, pumpkin seeds, and shredded coconut (if using). Stir in dried fruit and chocolate chips, reserving a small handful of chips for topping if desired.
05 - Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
06 - Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Press down very firmly with the back of a spatula or your hands (dampened, if needed) to pack the mixture tightly and evenly.
07 - Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips on top and gently press them in.
08 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
09 - Lift out of the pan using the parchment overhang, and cut into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They actually hold together when you bite them instead of crumbling all over your lap
  • You control exactly what goes into them, no unpronounceable ingredients required
  • The texture combo of crunchy toasted nuts and chewy sweet spots is addictive
02 -
  • Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is the difference between bars that hold together and ones that crumble
  • Let the toasted oats cool slightly before mixing, or they will melt your chocolate chips prematurely
  • These need fridge time to set properly, but they become too hard if frozen
03 -
  • Dampen your hands before pressing the mixture into the pan to prevent sticking
  • Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat edges
  • Let the bars sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before cutting if they seem too firm

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