Description
These homemade heart-shaped granola bars are a delicious and wholesome snack, combining rolled oats, nuts, dried fruit, and optional chocolate chips for extra sweetness. Slightly crispy on the edges and chewy in the center, they are made with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and peanut or almond butter, then baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup puffed rice cereal (optional, for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or apricots)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional, for extra sweetness)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, puffed rice cereal (if using), dried fruit, chopped nuts, salt, and optional chocolate chips. Mix them evenly.
- Heat Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey or maple syrup, peanut butter or almond butter, and melted coconut oil or butter. Stir until smooth and well combined, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract if using.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until all dry ingredients are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
- Press & Bake: Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it down firmly with a spoon or spatula to create a compact and even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Cool & Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into heart-shaped pieces using a cookie cutter or into simple squares if preferred.
Notes
- For extra crunch, bake the bars a few minutes longer, but watch closely to prevent burning the edges.
- Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Refrigerate to extend shelf life for longer storage.
- You can customize the nuts and dried fruits based on preference or availability.
