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These Healthy Homemade Granola Bars are a perfect on-the-go snack for busy days, and they come together easily for stress-free, nutritious snacking for the whole family!
Quick Recipe Overview
WHAT: Chewy granola bars made with rolled oats, natural sweeteners, and your choice of additions for a customizable healthy snack.
WHY: Quick to prepare, naturally sweetened, budget-friendly, and endlessly adaptable to your flavor preferences and dietary needs.
HOW: Melt sweetener mixture, stir in dry ingredients, press firmly into pan, chill for one hour, then slice.
Table of Contents
- Quick Recipe Overview
- Why You’ll Love Healthy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
- Ingredient Notes
- Healthy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
- How To Make Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- Substitutions & Variations
- FAQs for Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- My Best Tips for Making Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- What to Serve With Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- Storage & Reheating Tips
- Similar Recipes to Try
- More Granola Recipes To Consider
Why You’ll Love Healthy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe
- Made with simple, nourishing ingredients for easy and healthy snacking.
- Quick to prepare, perfect for on-the-go eating.
- Nut-free and dairy-free, suitable for those with allergies.
- Versatile recipe—easy to customize with nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips (a favorite with kids).
🩷 Melissa
I love, love, love having homemade healthy granola bars on hand because it makes grabbing a healthy snack or fueling up between meals super simple for my whole family.
I like to give them to my kids after school or between activities for a tasty bite that will keep them full. You’ll never believe (or get over) how easily these granola bars come together for a great snack for the whole family all week long!
They’re so much better than a bag of chips and made with wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Ingredient Notes
Flax Meal: This ingredient adds nutrition and acts as a binder. If you don’t have flax meal, you can grind whole flax seeds in a coffee grinder or substitute with chia seeds.
Coconut Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and helps the bars hold together. You can substitute brown sugar if needed, though coconut sugar has a slightly lower glycemic index.
Coconut Oil: Provides healthy fats that help bind the bars while adding richness and flavor.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons flax meal, ground flax seeds
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup mix-ins*, optional
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper so that it hangs over the sides (you can also use foil — just be sure to give it a spray of cooking spray), and set aside.
- Add the honey, coconut oil, and coconut sugar to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the oil melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Bring to a light bubbly simmer, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- Remove the pan from the heat, add the vanilla and salt, and stir to combine.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flax meal, and stir to combine.2 tablespoons flax meal
- Add the oats and any extras you’d like, and stir to combine.2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- Place all of the oat mixture in the prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula or the bottom of a greased measuring cup to press the mixture firmly into the pan (press it well — this will help the bars stick together when cut).
- If you are adding chocolate, wait about 15 minutes for the mixture to cool a bit before adding the chocolate to the top of the bar, and press the chocolate firmly into the bars with the bottom of a measuring cup.1/2 cup mix-ins*
- Chill the granola bars in fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Lift the bars from the pan using the edges of the foil or parchment, and place them on a cutting board. Cut into desired shape/sizes and serve.
- Extras are best stored in the fridge with layers of parchment paper in between them.
Notes
Nutrition
How To Make Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
Step 1: Gather all your ingredients and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Step 2: Combine honey, coconut oil, and coconut sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until melted, then simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, salt, and flax meal. Add oats and any mix-ins, stirring until well combined.
Step 4: Press mixture firmly into prepared pan using a greased measuring cup. For chocolate topping, wait 15 minutes to cool slightly, then press chips into surface. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm. Lift out using parchment overhang and slice into desired sizes.
Substitutions & Variations
For nut-free bars
Use sunflower seed butter instead of adding nut butter, and choose seeds (pumpkin, sunflower) instead of nuts for mix-ins.
For added protein
Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter with the honey mixture, or add 1/4 cup protein powder with the oats.
For chocolate lovers
Add 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips to the mixture, then press another 1/4 cup on top before chilling. For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate.
For extra fiber
Replace 1/4 cup of the oats with wheat germ or add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds along with the flax meal.
Sweeter version
Increase honey to 1/3 cup or drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the finished bars.
Maple variation
Swap the honey for pure maple syrup and add a pinch of cinnamon for maple-spiced bars.
Vegan version
Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, and ensure all mix-ins are plant-based. This makes a delicious vegan granola bar recipe.
FAQs for Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
I always think homemade anything, including granola bars, is better than store-bought options because there are no added chemicals or preservatives or other things you don’t want in it when you make it at home. These are very healthy and filling, and they’re made with natural sweeteners, oats, coconut oil, and flax meal.
These homemade granola bars are simple and have nutritious ingredients, including honey, coconut oil, coconut sugar, vanilla, salt, flax meal, and oats. You can also add optional mix-ins, like dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, or shredded coconut.
Old-fashioned rolled oats are ideal for granola bars because they hold up well during mixing and baking, providing a chewy texture. Avoid using instant oats as they can become too mushy.
Popular options include chocolate chips, dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, chopped dates), nuts (almonds, walnuts), seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds), and coconut flakes. Just keep the total mix-ins to about 1/2 cup so the bars hold together properly.
Store granola bars in the fridge in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper. They also freeze great for long-term storage. They are fine to have in lunch boxes without keeping them cold. The fridge just helps them to last longer!
My Best Tips for Making Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
☞Press Firmly and Evenly: Use the bottom of a greased measuring cup or glass to really pack the mixture into the pan. This is the most important step for bars that stick together and slice cleanly.
☞Let the Mixture Cool Slightly Before Adding Chocolate: If you’re topping your bars with chocolate chips, wait 15 minutes after pressing the mixture into the pan. This prevents the chocolate from completely melting and ensures it stays in place.
☞Line Your Pan Properly: Let the parchment paper hang over the sides by at least 2 inches. This creates handles that make lifting the bars out so much easier when it’s time to cut them.
☞Customize with Nut Butter for Extra Binding: While the recipe works as written, adding 2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter to the honey mixture creates even stickier bars with more protein.
☞Slice with a Sharp Knife: For clean cuts, use a large sharp knife and wipe it between cuts. You can also warm the knife slightly under hot water (then dry it) for even cleaner slices.
What to Serve With Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
These granola bars are perfect on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with:
- Fresh fruit and Greek yogurt for breakfast
- A glass of cold milk or your favorite nut milk
- Hot coffee or tea for an afternoon snack
- Apple slices and almond butter for a balanced snack plate
- Smoothies for a grab-and-go breakfast combo
Storage & Reheating Tips
Room temperature
Keep bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days, though they may soften slightly. This works best in cooler weather.
Refrigerator Storage
Store bars in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 2 weeks. This is the best storage method as it keeps them firm and chewy.
Freezer Storage
Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before eating, or enjoy them slightly frozen for a firmer texture.
Make-ahead
These bars are perfect for meal prep! Make a batch on Sunday and have healthy snacks ready for the entire week. You can also double the recipe and freeze half for later.
No reheating needed
These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled. If stored in the freezer, simply let them sit out for a few minutes to soften.
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Healthy Homemade Granola
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
A really delicious recipe
I am on a low fat diet due to gallbladder issues. Instead of the coconut oil, could I use peanut butter (made from powdered peanut butter and water)? Thank you in advance.
Just made these yesterday, and my little and I LOVE them. I used regular sugar because that’s what I had. Looking forward to trying the coconut sugar. We used chia seeds instead of flax (that’s what we had) and used walnuts as a mix in. Tasted like a Christmas treat while still giving us some protein.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!