Chewy wholesome granola bars

Chewy wholesome granola bars packed with oats seeds and a touch of honey—perfect for bulk prep and healthy snacking in lunchboxes.

I first made these granola bars when I needed a fast and healthy snack for my busy mornings. They quickly became a staple because both kids and adults love their chewy texture and rich flavor.

Ingredients

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: 3 cups
• Crispy rice cereal: 1 cup
• Raw sunflower seeds: 1/2 cup
• Chopped nuts: 1/2 cup (almonds walnuts or pecans)
• Mini chocolate chips (optional): 1/2 cup
• Dried fruit (cranberries raisins or apricots) chopped: 1/2 cup
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
• Honey or maple syrup: 1/2 cup
• Creamy peanut butter or almond butter: 1/2 cup
• Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon

Instructions

Prepare Pan:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl combine oats rice cereal sunflower seeds chopped nuts chocolate chips (if using) dried fruit salt and cinnamon. Mix well.

Prepare Wet Mixture:

In a small saucepan over medium heat combine honey peanut butter and butter. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Combine Mixes:

Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.

Shape and Bake:

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly with a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Cool and Slice:

Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into bars.

Store:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.

Save

My kids love helping with pressing the mixture into the pan. It's become a family tradition to make a batch together for school lunches.

Required Tools

9x13 inch baking pan parchment paper large mixing bowl small saucepan measuring cups and spoons spatula.

Allergen Information

Contains peanuts or tree nuts dairy (if using butter) and may contain gluten if oats are not certified gluten-free. Check all ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per bar: 185 calories 8 g total fat 25 g carbohydrates 4 g protein.

Save

Enjoy these homemade granola bars as a quick snack or pack them for a healthy treat on the go.

Cooking Questions & Answers

→ What ingredients add crunch to the granola bars?

Old-fashioned oats, crispy rice cereal, sunflower seeds, and chopped nuts contribute to the bars' satisfying crunch.

→ Can the honey be replaced with another sweetener?

Yes, maple syrup is a great alternative for a vegan-friendly touch without altering the sweetness.

→ How do you ensure the bars stick together?

The mixture of melted peanut butter, butter, and honey binds the dry ingredients when combined and pressed firmly before baking.

→ Are these bars suitable for nut-free diets?

For nut-free versions, substitute the nuts with extra seeds like pumpkin or sunflower and use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.

→ How should the bars be stored to maintain freshness?

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze them for longer shelf life.