Save Chewy, wholesome granola bars packed with oats, seeds, and a touch of honey—perfect for bulk prep and healthy snacking in lunchboxes.
I first started making homemade granola bars as a way to pack nutritious snacks for my kids' lunchboxes, and they love helping mix in their favorite add-ins.
Ingredients
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: 3 cups
- Crispy rice cereal: 1 cup
- Raw sunflower seeds: 1/2 cup
- Chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, or pecans): 1/2 cup
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): 1/2 cup
- Dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or apricots), chopped: 1/2 cup
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
- Honey or maple syrup: 1/2 cup
- Creamy peanut butter or almond butter: 1/2 cup
- Unsalted butter: 1/4 cup
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Prepare pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, chocolate chips (if using), dried fruit, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Combine and heat wet ingredients:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Make granola bar mixture:
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Shape and bake:
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly with a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and cut:
- Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into bars.
- Storage:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.
Save Whenever we make these together, my youngest loves pressing the mixture into the pan while his sister chooses her own mix-ins. They always manage to save one bar for a friend!
Required Tools
9x13-inch baking pan, parchment paper, large mixing bowl, small saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, spatula
Allergen Information
Contains peanuts (or tree nuts), dairy (if using butter), and may contain gluten unless using certified gluten-free oats. Always check ingredient packaging for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Calories: 185, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 4 g
Save Make a double batch to keep some on hand in the freezer—these bars always disappear fast!
Cooking Guide
- → Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes, substitute honey with maple syrup and use a plant-based butter to keep the bars vegan friendly.
- → What nuts work best in these bars?
Almonds, walnuts, and pecans add great texture and flavor, but you can customize with your favorite chopped nuts.
- → How do I store the bars for freshness?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for extended storage.
- → Can I make nut-free bars?
Yes, replace nuts with additional seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds and swap nut butter for sunflower seed butter.
- → Is it possible to add extra nutrition to the bars?
Including shredded coconut, flaxseed, or extra dried fruit can boost nutritional value and flavor.