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A plate stacked with several healthy homemade granola bars topped with chocolate chips. Oats and pretzel pieces are visible in the bars, with a bowl of oats and a striped cloth nearby.
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5 from 2 votes

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars

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!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 minute
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 16 bars
Author: Melissa Griffiths

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

Scaling the Recipe: You can double this recipe and place it in a 9x13 inch pan or you can put a single batch in a 9x9 pan, they'll just be a bit thinner.
The Secret to Bars That Stick: Use a combination of sticky binders like honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup along with a nut butter (like almond butter or peanut butter). This helps hold the granola bars together. 
Quality Ingredients Matter: Start with good quality oats (old-fashioned rolled oats work best), nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Choose ingredients that you enjoy and that complement each other in terms of flavor and texture!
Mixing Technique: Thoroughly mix the dry ingredients together before adding the wet ingredients. This ensures an even distribution of flavors and helps prevent clumps of certain ingredients.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 16 bars | Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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