Simple & Easy Homemade Granola Bars for the Best Snack

Ola my friend! These homemade granola bars will make the top of your list for best snacks. They are all-stars in the snack arena because you can enjoy them for breakfast, as a quick refuel before sport practice, a spot hitter when you get the munchies, and any other time you may want to eat little something. These granola bars are simple and quick to make. They are chewy, sweet, salty, nutty, crunchy and so filling thanks to all of the protein from the peanuts, almonds and oatmeal. I promise you will either receive a hug or a well done or some sign of approval when you make these granola bars and let anyone try them.

I adopted this recipe from loving it Minimalist Baker’s Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars post. Ready for a simple and delicious granola bar that actually taste A.M.A.Z.I.N.G? Let’s go!

Homemade Granola Bars Ingredients and Prep

First Try

  • Old Fashioned Oats – 1 ½ cups
  • Unsalted Almonds – 1 cup
  • Pink Himalayan Salt – ½ tsp
  • Peanut Butter – 1/4 cup
  • Honey – 1/4 cup
  • 100% Maple Syrup – 1/4 cup

Second Try (WINNER!)

  • Old Fashioned Oats – 3 cups
  • Unsalted Almonds – 1 cup
  • Salted Peanuts – 1 cup
  • Light Brown sugar – 2 tbsp
  • Water – 1 tbsp
  • 100% Maple Syrup – 1/4 cup
  • 100% Pure Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp
  • Honey – 1/4 cup
  • Vegan Butter – 1 tbsp

Chocolate Drizzle (optional)

  • 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – 1 tbsp
  • Coconut Milk or Water – 2 tsp (or per desired creaminess)
  • 100% Maple Syrup – 1 tbsp
  1. Gather all ingredients and equipment.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  3. Put oats in large baking pan and put the almonds and peanuts in a smaller baking pan. Toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Add vegan butter, brown sugar, and water to pot and stir on medium to high heat (7 on a scale of 1 to 9) until well blended.
  5. Next, add maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, and honey to the pot and stir until well blended. Allow to bubble up for about 2-3 minutes while stirring.
  6. Remove pan from heat and add the oats, almonds, and peanuts into the sweet mixture and stir until all of the sweet liquid is absorbed.
  7. No-bake option: Pour mixture in a baking pan to cool. Once cool, place in the fridge to firm up. Target minimum 15 minutes. (They are irresistible)
  8. Bake option: Pour mixture in a baking pan and put in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the granola bars from oven and allow them to cool. Once cool, place in the fridge to firm up. Target minimum 15 minutes. (They are irresistible)

Notes

  • This recipe may seem to call for a lot of sweeteners, however, these granola bars are not overly sweet. They have just the right amount of sweetness.
  • Butter your baking pan before adding the granola so that the granola bar does not stick (helpful for bake and no-bake options).
  • Feel free to cut the granola while warm before putting in the fridge so that it is easier to break / separate.
  • Bake the granola for 5 minutes if you want the granola more crunchier but still chewy. Putting the granola in the fridge without baking it first makes the granola chewier and less crunchy.
  • Feel free to use coconut oil in place of vegan butter.
  • Feel free to skip making bars and just crumble them up for a traditional granola experience.
  • The chocolate drizzle is optional but be sure to drizzle over the granola before placing in the fridge. The chocolate creates a layer at the bottom of the granola and hardens. Simply delightful.

Homemade Granola Bars Gallery

(First Try)

(Second Try)

Health Benefits

Some of my favorites for almonds:

  • Protect cells from oxidative damage (think cancer fighter, healthy glowing skin) thanks to being one of the best sources of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant.
  • Good weight manager thanks to being low in carbohydrates and high in protein, healthful fats and fiber
  • Great blood sugar and blood pressure regulator thanks to the plentiful supply of magnesium
  • Helps maintain healthy brain function thanks to high content of of riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and L-carnitine (natural chemical produced by the body that helps the body turns fat into energy)

Read more details here and here.

Until Next Time

Well, what do you say? Ready to give these granola bars a try? I was pleasantly shocked when I tried these the first time. Immediately ideas to upgrade these bars flowed into my mind and I could hardly wait to try them again. My family absolutely love these things…they will hit the spot for sure. Are there any other / different ingredients you would add to this granola bar? Please drop a comment below or email me. I would love to hear your feedback and/or stories. If these granola bars are not sweet enough for you then try these old fashioned oatmeal cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Well, I will take my leave for now. I look forward to our time together again soon. Be inspired to have an appetite to Live and Live well.

Adaeze

Simple & Easy Homemade Granola Bars (w/ No-Bake Option)

You won't be able to stop eating these homemade granola bars. It WILL NOT last for a long time. Perfect combo of sweet, salty, nutty, chewy … irresistible.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • 1 Pot or Skillet
  • 1 Mixing spoon
  • 1 9''x13 Baking pan (if going with the bake option)
  • 1 8''x8 Baking pan
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups Old Fashioned Oats
  • 1 cup Unsalted Almonds
  • 1 cup Salted Peanuts
  • 2 tbsp Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • 1/4 cup 100% Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 cup 100% Honey
  • 1 tbsp Vegan Butter
  • 1 tsp 100% Pure Vanilla Extract

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients and equipment.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Put oats in large baking pan and put the almonds and peanuts in a smaller baking pan. Toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
  • Add vegan butter, brown sugar, and water to pot and stir on medium to high heat (7 on a scale of 1 to 9) until well blended.
  • Next, add maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, and honey to the pot and stir until well blended. Allow to bubble up for about 2-3 minutes while stirring.
  • Remove pan from heat and add the oats, almonds, and peanuts into the sweet mixture and stir until all of the sweet liquid is absorbed.
  • No-bake option: Pour mixture in a baking pan to cool. Once cool, place in the fridge to firm up. Target minimum 15 minutes. (They are irresistible)
  • Bake option: Pour mixture in a baking pan and put in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the granola bars from oven and allow them to cool. Once cool, place in the fridge to firm up. Target minimum 15 minutes. (They are irresistible)
  • Enjoy.

Notes

  • This recipe may seem to call for a lot of sweeteners, however, these granola bars are not overly sweet. They have just the right amount of sweetness.
  • Butter your baking pan before adding the granola so that the granola bar does not stick (helpful for bake and no-bake options).
  • Feel free to cut the granola while warm before putting in the fridge so that it is easier to break / separate.
  • Bake the granola for 5 minutes if you want the granola more crunchier but still chewy. Putting the granola in the fridge without baking it first makes the granola chewier and less crunchy.
  • Feel free to use coconut oil in place of vegan butter.
  • Feel free to skip making bars and just crumble them up for a traditional granola experience.
  • The chocolate drizzle is optional but be sure to drizzle over the granola before placing in the fridge. The chocolate creates a layer at the bottom of the granola and hardens. Simply delightful.
Keyword homemade granola bars

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