Chewy Granola Bars

A healthy granola bars recipe cut into bars and ready to eat.Nothing beats our homemade Granola Bars recipe that takes just 15 minutes to prep, no baking required, and they’re healthier and less expensive than store-bought. We have tons of healthy snacks you’ll love, like our Banana Oat Muffins, Fruit Pops, Frozen Yogurt Recipe, or a Strawberry Banana Smoothie! How to make No Bake Granola Bars:…

A healthy granola bars recipe cut into bars and ready to eat.

Nothing beats our homemade Granola Bars recipe that takes just 15 minutes to prep, no baking required, and they’re healthier and less expensive than store-bought.

We have tons of healthy snacks you’ll love, like our Banana Oat Muffins, Fruit Pops, Frozen Yogurt Recipe, or a Strawberry Banana Smoothie!

A healthy granola bars recipe cut into bars and ready to eat.

Chewy Granola Bars are my cure for hangry meltdowns

A fridge stocked with ready-made snacks and healthy foods is what gets me through the grind of school-lunch and snack packing! I always try to have some healthy mini muffins, and our veggie bucket stocked with homemade ranch or hummus.

I love that our granola bars recipe is thick and chewy, and they don’t fall apart. Customize them with favorite mix-ins like coconut, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, etc. If you’re looking for an even healthier option, try Granola Bites, or Protein Bars.

How to make No Bake Granola Bars:

Combine Dry Ingredients: Pour oats, Rice Krispies cereal, and flaxseed into a large mixing bowl. Place parchment paper inside an 8 or 9 inch pan, leaving some overhang to pull them out.

Make Syrup: In an extra-large microwave safe bowl add butter, brown sugar, and honey. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Microwave again for 1 ½ minutes then remove and stir in vanilla.

Two images showing a chewy granola bars recipe with the dry ingredients in one bowl then the soft syrup in a bowl with vanilla being added.

Combine: Drizzle syrup over the oat/cereal mixture, gently stirring to coat. Stir in chocolate chips, then pour mixture into prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.

Two images showing how to make granola bars by pouring syrup on the dry ingredients then after it's stirred together and mini chocolate chips are added.

Press: Place another piece of parchment paper on top and press down with our palms, to press the mixture firmly into the pan. Press extra mini chocolate chips on top if you’d like, then refrigerate bars for 1-2 hours before cutting.

Two images showing a homemade granola bars recipe pressed into a 9x9 pan then a close up of one of the bars after they are cut.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: Bars will keep in an air-tight container for up to 7 days. Store in the fridge for firmer bars, or at room temp for softer bars.

To Freeze: Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil (or wrap individual bars in parchment paper and store in a freezer safe bag) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.

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A healthy granola bars recipe cut into bars and ready to eat.
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No Bake Granola Bars

Chewy homemade Granola Bars recipe you can customize with your favorite add-ins, and there's no baking required.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Refrigeration 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 18
Calories 164kcal
Cost $3

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line 8 or 9’’ square pan with parchment paper, with some paper overhang. 
  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl stir together oats, rice krispies cereal, and flaxseed.
  • Microwave Wet ingredients: Add butter, brown sugar and honey to a large microwave safe bowl and cook for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir mixture until butter has melted. Return to microwave for 1 ½ minutes. Carefully remove from microwave and stir in vanilla.
  • Combine: Drizzle mixture over dry ingredients, stirring gently until coated evenly. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.
  • Press into pan: Place a small piece of parchment over the mixture (or use lightly greased hands) and press mixture firmly into the pan. This is important so they don't crumble when you cut them. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and press them gently onto the tops of the bars.
  • Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours before pulling up on the parchment paper to remove them from the pan and cut them.  
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for firmer bars or at room temperature for softer bars.

Video

Notes

Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt in with the butter and sugar mixture.  You could also substitute coconut oil, but only cook for 2 minutes (total) in the microwave, instead of 2 ½ minutes.
Other Mix-Ins: add ½ cup total of chopped almonds, coconut, Craisins or other dried fruit.
Make Ahead Instructions: homemade granola bars will keep in an air-tight container for up to 7 days. Store in the fridge for firmer bars, or at room temp for softer bars.
Freezing Instructions: Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil (or wrap individual bars in parchment paper and store in a freezer safe bag) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

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I originally shared this recipe in May 2015. Updated May 2018 and August 2024.