Description
These Homemade Granola Bars are an easy-to-make, delightful snack combining toasted oats, nuts, and a sweet honey-butter mixture, with an optional touch of chocolate chips for extra flavor. Perfectly chewy and crunchy, they are great for on-the-go energy or a healthy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the granola bars.
- Toast Oats and Nuts: Spread the oats and chopped nuts evenly on a baking sheet. Bake them for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even toasting, until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from oven and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Make Honey Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine honey or maple syrup, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to bubble, then immediately remove it from the heat.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the warm honey mixture over the toasted oats and nuts. Add chocolate chips if desired, and stir everything together until all ingredients are well coated with the sticky mixture.
- Press Into Pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using a spatula or your hands, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to ensure the bars hold together once baked.
- Bake Bars: Bake the mixture for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges turn a golden brown color.
- Cool and Cut: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut them into bars or squares as desired.
Notes
- Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal of granola bars from the pan.
- Mix in your favorite nuts or seeds for added texture and flavor.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for longer storage.
- Ensure bars are completely cooled before cutting to prevent crumbling.
