Healthy Granola Bars, my old friend. When I have a batch of you on hand, my life feels a little more together. A simple baked granola bar recipe made with oats, honey, and your mix-ins of choice, these easy bars are here for you, whatever wildness the day may hold.
I cannot relate to the idea of being so busy you forget to eat.
Even on my most crazed days, my stomach checks in at regular intervals, and I can’t focus until I’ve met my body’s need for nourishment.
The quality of the snacks is where I need to pay attention.
- Having healthy snacks like these homemade granola bars (or Energy Balls) on hand for immediate consumption satisfies my hunger for hours.
- They are a much healthier option than reaching for a bag of chips, candy bar or other processed snacks that will leave you hungry again a short while later.
I am not a dietician, but I know that if you are looking for granola bars for weight loss and only focus on which granola bars have the least calories, you can miss the point.
- For a snack to keep you full and happy (and your hand out of the chip bag), it needs to have filling ingredients like fiber, protein, and healthy fats. These have 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving!
- Otherwise, you’ll end up eating more overall than you would have if you would have simply selected a more satisfying (but higher calorie) bar in the first place.
These bars are truly sustaining!
I originally developed this healthy granola bars recipe for Ben and my long road trips.
Now, we take them on ski trips for a mid-mountain break, and I almost always have some in the freezer. It feels good to reach for a homemade bar instead of something from a box, and it is a serious cost savings too
If you’ve never made homemade granola bars, you are going to be pleasantly surprised by just how easy they are.
They save well (wrap and freeze them for up to two months), are more affordable than store-bought bars, and don’t contain the long list of unpronounceable ingredients.
Plus, your kitchen will smell like a bakery while these granola bars bake. Ahhhh.
How to Make Healthy Granola Bars
These bars are ultra easy to stir together, perfect for kids, post workout, and on-the-go-breakfasts, and the ingredients are flexible to what you have on hand.
You can even alter the baking time to make the bars chewier or crunchier, depending upon what your family prefers.
The Ingredients
- Oats. Full of fiber, nutrients, and shown to help lower levels of “bad” cholesterol, oats are inexpensive with a powerful healthy punch. Their fiber content in this whole grain is one of the reasons these healthy granola bars (as well as their cousin, No Bake Granola Bars) will keep you full.
- Nuts. Rich in omega-3s and a good source of protein, nuts make these bars both satisfying and super tasty. Use any nuts you love or have on hand: chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, peanuts—my favorite is a mix, like what you’ll find in Trail Mix Peanut Butter Granola Bars.
- Pepitas. These little pumpkin seeds are packed with antioxidants and add another dimension of flavor.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes. Add irresistible toasty notes, without the need for excess sugar.
- Peanut Butter. Hello, healthy fats and more protein for sustenance. You can use any nut butter here you enjoy. (Fellow PB lovers, don’t miss these Peanut Butter Protein Bars.)
Tip!
The consistency of your bars will vary based on the brand of nut butter you use. If they seem too dry, add more peanut butter or honey; if they are too wet, add more oats one tablespoon at a time.
- Honey. Rejoice for healthy granola bars no sugar but the right about of sweetness! Storebought bars can contain three or four different forms of sugar. In these bars, you’ll find only natural honey.
- Cinnamon + Pure Vanilla Extract + Salt. This trio makes these homemade granola bars even more scrumptious (truly, processed bars do not stand a chance).
- Mix-Ins! One of the most fun parts of making granola bars from scratch is that you can make them any flavor. Try dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, chia seeds or dark chocolate and you certainly can’t go wrong with chocolate chip peanut butter granola bars. These can easily be made dairy-free as well!
The Directions
- Toast the oats, nuts, and seeds. This adds big flavor!
- Warm the peanut butter and honey together until smooth. Stir in the spices.
- Stir the toasted oats and nuts into the peanut butter mixture.
- Press the mixture into a parchment-lined pan. Bake the healthy granola bars at 300 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool, slice, and ENJOY.
Chewy or Crunchy?
- For Chewy Granola Bars. Pull out the bars after 15 minutes.
- For Crunchy Granola Bars. Continue baking the bars 5 additional minutes, or 20 minutes total.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
- To Freeze. Wrap bars airtight and store them in a ziptop bag in the freezer. Let thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Storage Tips
For grab-and-go snacks at the ready, make a double batch, wrap the bars individually, then pull them out of your freezer on demand.
Healthy Alternatives to Granola Bars
While I do think granola bars can be healthy when you are watching the ingredients, if you are looking to vary it up and try some other healthy snacks, here are some suggestions:
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Baking Dish. This one is ideal for making granola bars.
- Baking Sheet. I use a baking sheet to toast my granola bar mix-ins.
- Saucepan. With countless everyday uses, a high-quality saucepan is a must-have item in every kitchen.
High-Quality Baking Dish
This stoneware baking dish will bake beside you for a lifetime! The high-quality enamel finish makes cleanup a breeze too.
You’ll thank yourself for having these healthy granola bars around, whether your tummy growls like mine, or you are one of those people that has to remind yourself to eat lunch (but how?!).
Happy snacking!
Frequently Asked Questions
While store-bought granola bars can be unhealthy and full of added sugars, these homemade granola bars are healthy in moderation. They’re a delicious and nutritious snack option compared to those that come in a package.
If you want to ensure your granola bars are low in calories, watch what mix-ins you add. Make sure you use low-calorie mix-ins, and choose a nut butter with the least amount of calories.
Crumble up leftover granola bars over yogurt, or try them over vanilla ice cream for a treat.
Healthy Granola Bars Video
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Healthy Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup roughly chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts or a mix
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or pepitas or additional chopped nuts
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips or dried fruit or nuts
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper so that two sides of the paper overhang the sides like handles. Coat generously with nonstick spray.
- Spread the oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes on a rimmed, ungreased baking sheet. Toast in the oven until the coconut looks lightly golden and the nuts are toasted and fragrant, about 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, heat the honey and peanut butter together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is smoothly combined. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- As soon as the oat mixture is finished toasting, carefully transfer it to the pan with the peanut butter. With a rubber spatula, stir to combine. Let cool for 5 minutes, then add the chocolate chips (if you add the chocolate chips immediately, they will melt).
- Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. With the back of a spatula, press the bars into a single layer (you also can place a sheet of plastic wrap against the surface to deter sticking, then use your fingers; discard the plastic prior to baking).
- Bake the healthy granola bars for 15 to 20 minutes: 20 minutes will yield crunchier bars; at 15 they will be slightly chewier. With the bars still in the pan, press a knife down into the pan to cut into bars of your desired size (be sure to pick a knife that will not damage your pan—I typically cut into 2 rows of 5). Do not remove the bars. Let them cool completely in the pan.
- Once the bars have cooled completely, use the parchment to lift them onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars again in the same place, going over your lines to separate. Pull apart and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate for 2 weeks.
- TO FREEZE: Wrap bars airtight and store them in a ziptop bag in the freezer. Let thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Nutrition
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Girl, these look so good! I seriously want to make them right now so I can pre-game for my Bahamas cruise next week.
Sorry, I had to do it. I’m “that” girl.
But, you bring a batch of these granola bars…you can totally come with ;)
Popping over for the recipe!
SO JEALOUS! You’ll bring me in your suitcase right? ;-)
These granola bars will certainly brighten my day!
Turn the heater to the highest and drink some hot chocolate with those delicious bars, Erin.
Stay warm and happy!
Angie
I love homemade granola bars! Stay warm this weekend!
I feel the same way about old man winter. We here in Michigan are getting drenched in another snow storm. Plus just go updates for another one on Tuesday. Yuck! These bars look like some fun. Thanks for sharing.
Hang in there!!! It’s snowing here today too. Quick, let’s run to the kitchen and bake!
These granola bars look delicious!! :-)
Thanks so much! I must say, they didn’t last long around here :-)
I have made granola lots of times but never granola bars. This looks SO good!
If you love to make granola, granola bars are totally the next step! They are such an awesome snack–I think you will be addicted!
You were in San Diego at the right time. Today it is 60º so I’m inside baking and trying to stay warm.
I love the flavor twist in these granola bars. I make them a lot, but run into a tur of using the same nuts and fruit. Thanks for the new idea!
I’ve been looking for a good granola bar recipe and this definitely sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing :)
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
I am all kinds of ready for spring, but now I can’t get summer off the mind! Or tropical granola bars. These look fabulous!
Ooo yum!
This is definitely my kind of recipe – looks good, tastes good, and is also good for you.
{Teffy’s Perks} X
Granola bars are a must have for storing in my bag for when I need a snack while out. I can’t wait to reach for one of these!
I love love love homemade granola bars! I never thought to add orange into the mix though. What a great addition. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe! Off to pin!
Thank you so much Justine! The orange really does add a special brightness, which I definitely appreciate when I’m having one for an early breakfast.
This granola is totally delicious and addicting. I’ve made several batches in the past three weeks. I’ve read the comments about adding orange but am confused about how to do so. Does that mean orange peel or juice perhaps?
Hi Marilyn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! I just overhauled the recipe and updated it so that is why you are seeing references to orange.
I’m intrigued by all these orange references. What did you do in the original recipe, please?
Hi Cassidy, there was orange juice and zest (plus a number of other ingredients) that was removed when I overhauled the recipe. Hope you enjoy the bars!
These look great – heading over to check out the recipe now!
Thanks so much Laura! If you enjoy tropical flavors like orange and coconut, I think you’d adore them :)
Hi, Erin, love the orange idea, I am in love with it already, thanks.
These turned out so good!!! I even messed up and didnt cook the oats and nuts before mixing everything together lol. I also forgot to heat the honey and peanut butter. Then I put them in the oven for 10 minutes. Will defenitely make them again!!!!
Hi Brianna! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Wow! This is a great recipe. My husband has a sweet tooth and I’m trying to find great tasting healthy alternatives for his after dinner snack. This fits the bill. I added dried cherries and baked them the full 20 minutes for a crunchier bar. Thanks so much for the recipe. It’s a keeper.
Hi Nancy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These are great! I’ve been experimenting and they are enjoyed by all. Has anyone figured out how to make them less crumbly? By the time we get to the last few, it is more or less granola. I’ve added more honey and PB but I don’t want to load them up too much? Any suggestions?
Glad you enjoyed them Jon! I haven’t had this problem before so it would be hard to say what went wrong without being in the kitchen with you.
This is a great recipe to jump off of! Leaves a bunch of room to alter the recipe without it going badly, and the simple ingredient list means you can intuitively mess with the oats/honey/PB ratio (I prefer less honey IMO- just not a fan. I just add a tiny bit less oats and a bit more PB). The pictures are very helpful to know what it’s supposed to look like!
I did take a few liberties with the recipe (steel cut oats instead of rolled, less honey, different mix-ins, etc) but they would have turned out horribly without this recipe to refer back to! Thank you for sharing, I’m definitely going to use this a lot!
Hi Livin Life! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Made these twice now. The most delcious and satisfying
Hi Dolores! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Just made these this morning and they are AMAZING. I like that they get baked. Very tasty. Thanks for the recipe!!!! I made them with a few modifications. instead of sunflower seeds I did a seed mix (pumpkins seeds, chia, flax). I added 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup maple syrup instead of all honey, and I used more vanilla, cinnamon and some nutmeg.
Hi Fiona! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi! Could I use only maple syrup instead of honey?
Hi Maude! Honey can be substituted with an equal amount of maple syrup or brown rice syrup. Enjoy!
Absolutely loved this recipe, made it two times both for a swim meet my siblings and I went to. Everyone loved them. Thank you!
Hi Minnie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These Healthy Granola bars are super simple to make and they smell delicious while baking.
I did wait the five minutes before adding the mini chocolate chips, but they still melted. That’s ok, I’m sure they’ll still taste good.
My only issue is that I wanted a crunchier bar and I baked them long enough, but they are still soft.
Having company tomorrow and we’ll put them to the test…..my guess is? It’s a winner!
Erin, I’m loving all the recipes I’ve tried. With weekend company Blueberry French Toast and Crockpot Breakfast Casserole are on the menu as well.
I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed my recipes, Edith! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
What substitutes will i have to make if I opt for less honey- 1/3 or 1/4 cup instead of 1/2 cup. It seems too sweet for me 😅
Hi Mayeesha! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so you’d be experimenting if you decide to decrease the amount. You can also swap the honey for maple syrup or brown rice syrup if you prefer. I hope you enjoy them!
I was looking for a snack to take with us on a summer road trip. Tried these, and they turned out to be just what I was looking for! I loved the fact that I could use up odds and ends of things in my pantry. And they taste amazing! I’m already planning what combination of fruit and nuts I will be putting in my next batch.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Sandy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
healthy granola bars are delicious
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Marianne! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I ran out of old fashioned oats and ordered the wrong one so now I only have quick cooking oats. Will these work?
Hi Nancy, no I don’t believe the quick cooking oats would work.
I thought for sure I had old fashioned oats in the pantry so I started making these, only to realize all I had was 1-minute quick oats. Made them anyway with the quick oats and they turned out great! Tasted amazing, held together well, texture was great!
That’s great to hear! Thank you Lindsay!
Thanks Erin! I’ve been looking for so long for a go to granola bar recipe and now I’ve found it! These tasted great, held together well and lots of flexibility with nuts/ mix ins. I cut mine into big squares rather than bars. Great recipe!
Hi Rachel! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Delicious. I would use less honey next time. Thank you.
Hi Susan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Found you can use other nut butters so long as they arent runny. Decreased honey to 1/4c and added about 1T maple syrup. Used 1/2 unsweetened coconut flakes and a total of a cup of chopped roasted nuts of choice. Added a handful of golden raisins. Skipped the salt in the “filling” and opted to grind pink Himalayan salt on top. Sprayed my “squisher paper” with GF nonstick spray and made for a stick-free squish as I would recommend really squishing this into pan. Youre a GENIUS! Hands down best granola bar recipe of its kind online (and, trust me, I’ve made, and tossed, many!). Keep it up!
Hi Renee! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on modifications!
Flavor is great, but my bars were completely dry and crumbly. Ended up like a granola, not a granola bar.
I’m sorry you to hear had trouble with the recipe, Ann. I know it’s frustrating to try a new recipe and not have it turn out. I (and many other readers) have enjoyed them, so I really wish they would’ve been a hit for you too!
In answer to Ann’s “dry and crumbly” issue, I did try a version of this with 1/2c coconut oil melted and a “dry” sweetener like Stevia in the Raw or Monk Fruit granulated sugar in place of the honey (but kept the nut butter) and that version was a crumbly mess. I’ve also made a version “as written” but didnt squish it very well and it, too, was more dry as I think the heat got into the crevasses and dried it out. I also made a version with liquid low glycemic sweetener that wasnt gooey like honey and it was far drier, too. There is a difference in my results when using a more processed PB rather than a “natural” PB — the processed PB yields a chewier bar I have found. Length of baking time makes a difference, too. There’s no egg in the recipe so there isnt any worry of underbaking to maintain chewiness. Hope this helps others.
Thanks for the feedback Renee!
Not sure on baking temp, is it still 300*? Thanks
Hi Laura! This is mentioned in Step 1 of the recipe card. It’s 325. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks, I wasn’t sure, because it starts at 325* then says drop to 300*. Actually I baked them at 300* and turned out great! Then, they were so good, I made a second batch, same way. We’re heading on a trip, so I froze them and have them for breakfast! Thanks I used chopped peanuts 3/4 cup and dried cranberries- coconut- 17 minutes- perfect!
So glad you enjoyed them Laura!
Yessss great texture & flavor, easy to make. I made it exactly as the recipe said and they’re the perfect healthy snack to have on hand. Thank you!
Hi Kel! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I found your YouTube video and then checked out your page. These are great! I have made dozens over the last several months so still finding out how I like to make them (different nuts, dried fruit, etc) I make a batch for my in-laws as well and They take them to work or when they go RVing and share or keep it for themselves. Everyone loves them! Thanks for putting this recipe out there :)
Hi Brandon! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?
Yes you can, Nancy!
I made this nut free since I have a peanut allergy. This is very easy to make in no time and so delicious. I left out the nuts and added more sunflower seeds and coconut flakes along with substituting sunflower butter for peanut butter. Will be definitely keeping this recipe on hand to make double batches to freeze and take along in our motorhome when we travel.
Hi Anne! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on substitutions!
Make sure you use processed peanut butter instead of anything healthy otherwise they’ll come out crumbly :( Pretty disappointing but maybe next time they’ll turn out. However, I can’t agree that these are “healthy” with 19g of sugar!! That’s almost the recommended daily amount! But I can see how they’d be tasty if made properly :)
Hi Alex! Sorry to hear about your results! I’m not sure if you saw what I said about using different nut butters. This was located under “TIP” The consistency of your bars will vary based on the brand of nut butter you use. If they seem too dry, add more peanut butter or honey; if they are too wet, add more oats one tablespoon at a time. Hope this helps for next time!
Really good recipe! I’m never buying store bought again. I swapped the quantity of peanut butter and honey and used chunky peanut butter, because that’s what I had in the pantry, and it worked out great. I recently bought some Nature Valley coconut trail mix bars and loved the intense coconut flavour, so next time I make this recipe I’m going to try using half vanilla and half coconut extract and see how it turns out. Thanks for the quality recipe!
Hi Katie! So glad the chunky peanut butter worked! Thank you for this kind review!
4-Stars for the taste! I followed the recipe with the exception of adding the coconut flakes…did not do that. Like I said, taste great but fall apart when you eat the treat. I baked them 15 minutes at 300 F. Wonder why they fall apart? Thx
I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe Tom. It’s hard to know what went wrong without being in the kitchen with you but the coconut does help bind them together so that is likely what caused them to fall apart.
These were easy and delicious…one of the best I’ve tried. I added a few dried cranberries and used walnuts, almonds and sunflower seeds. Organic peanut butter too
Hi Cathie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Easy and the smell while baking is wonderful! I wanted a crunchier bar so I baked for 20 minutes at 300 degrees but they were still chewy. Next time I’ll try leaving the temp at 325.
Hi Gina! So glad you enjoyed the recipes! Thank you for this kind review!
what a waste of paper to print out this recipe. Give us one page!
Hi Susan! I’m sorry to hear you are having trouble. When hitting the print button for the recipe, you can remove all images, notes, and nutrition label. You also have the option to print in smaller font but even with the normal font size this would give you two pages. If you print on front and back then you only need one page. Hope this helps!
Erin,
I watched making Healthy Homemade Granola Bars on YouTube yesterday. But you did not give amounts of the ingredients for the coconut, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, honey, peanut butter, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Could you send me the amounts for the above mentioned ingredients?
Phyllis
Hi Phyllis, I think you are missing the recipe in the post. All of the ingredients are listed in the recipe card above the directions on how to make them. There is even a “jump to recipe” button to help navigate you there! Hope this helps!
Any alternative for coconut flakes? Thanks!
Hi Carro! I’ve only tested the recipe as written. and the coconut helps bind them so I am unsure of an alternative. Maybe more oats? If you decide to experiment with it, let me know how it goes! Hope you enjoy!
I love making these….I use dessicated coconut rather than flakes….still works
Hi Karan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I’ve made these bars several times for my family and friends and everyone’s obsessed! These don’t last longer than two days (if I’m lucky) in my house! So simple and delicious :)
Hi Sarah! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Morning Erin
Fantastic and simple to follow recipe- I swapped out the PB for tahini and omitted the coconut and added sesame seeds instead. I also added in chopped dried fruit and no choc chips. These are my go to granola bars!! Thank you
PS will try cutting back just a bit on the maple syrup next time
Hi Scott! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
could you please post the ingredients in grams too? i keep finding conflicted information, some sites say 2 cups of oats is 180 grams, some say 160, some say 210. same with the peanut butter
Hi Angie! Unfortunately, I’m not able to provide metric measurements. There are several online conversion sites—one good one is from King Arthur! Here’s the link: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart.
These were delicious and very east yo make. I’ll definitely make them again!
Hi Eva! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
On my second batch of these granola bars.
They are so good, and easy to make. Win Win.
Hi Shelly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!