Homemade Chewy Granola Bars are a cinch to make from pantry staples. Gluten free and kid friendly, they're a great, low-sugar snack option!
If you have kids, and they’re anything like mine, then you know that they are ALWAYS HUNGRY.
That said, I feel like a total rockstar when can pull out ready made Homemade Chewy Granola Bars as a healthy, chewy, naturally sweet, and satisfying snack when they ask for one.
Even if you don’t have kids, these low sugar, nutrient dense, homemade granola bars totally hit the spot!
Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
Far from the sugary, store-bought granola bars that leave you satisfied for maybe 5 minutes, Homemade Chewy Granola Bars are gluten free, packed with healthy fats and protein, and naturally sweetened with a wee bit of honey. There’s even a secret ingredient that takes the flavor of these homemade granola bars up 500 notches.
That said, all the secret ingredients are pantry staples so we can whip these granola bars up anytime. Along with Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars, Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars, Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins, and Cranberry Chocolate Almond Energy Bites, they’re great to have on hand for easy and healthy snacking.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe calls for coconut oil and I do not recommend substituting in any other type of oil. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, and even harder when chilled, (these granola bars live in the fridge or freezer) and help keep the bars together.
- Along the same lines, I have not tested this recipe with any other sweetener besides honey. Its thick and sticky texture keeps the bars together.
- I use almonds and pecans in my chewy granola bars though you could use whatever nut or seed you have on hand.
Let’s do this!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by adding almonds, pecan halves, and gluten free old fashioned oats to the bowl of a food processor, then process until all the ingredients are finely chopped.
Pour the mixture into a large bowl then add more oats, almonds, and pecans, plus dried cranberries or dried cherries, chia seeds and cinnamon.
Over on the stovetop, add honey, coconut oil, and salt to a small saucepan then bring to a foamy bubble over medium heat. Let the mixture foam and cook for 1 minute then remove it from the heat and stir in almond and vanilla extracts.
The almond extract is the secret ingredient in this recipe, by the way. I’m telling you – the subtle, special flavor it adds is so cozy.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients then mix well to combine. Scoop the mixture into a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed 8×8 baking pan then spray the bottom of a glass measuring cup with more nonstick spray and press press press!
The harder you press the better these bars will stick together.
Refrigerate the bars until they’re completely set – a few hours – then lift out of the baking pan using the foil and slice into bars.
These bars will soften at room temperature so keep them in the fridge, or wrap in parchment paper or saran wrap and freeze individually. However you eat them them, I hope you love these homemade chewy granola bars — enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1 cup certified gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, no substitutions
- 1/2 teaspoon scant salt
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Line a 8x8” baking dish with foil, letting it hang generously over the sides, then spray with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Add 1/2 cup each almonds and pecans, plus 3/4 cup old fashioned oats into the bowl of a food processor then process until finely chopped. Pour mixture into a large bowl then add remaining 1/4 cup oats, dried cranberries, chia seeds, and cinnamon. Chop remaining 1/2 cup pecans and 1/2 cup almonds then add to the bowl and stir everything together. Set aside.
- Add honey, coconut oil, and salt to a small saucepan then bring to a bubble over medium heat, stirring once or twice. Turn heat down slightly, simmer for 1 minute, then remove saucepan from heat and stir in extracts. Pour over the dry ingredients then stir well to combine, and then pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Spray the bottom of a measuring cup or bowl with nonstick spray then press firmly into an even layer. The harder you press, the better the bars will stick together! Refrigerate until set, a couple hours, then pull out of the baking dish using overhanging foil and slice into bars using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Store bars in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
These sound so good you have me drooling
I didn’t even have all the ingredients and substituted cranberries and roasted pepitas for the cherries and pecans, butter for the coconut butter, and didn’t have almond extract—and they were un-be-freakin’-lievable! After the first bite, I nearly lost a finger wolfing the rest of it down.
Thanks, Iowa Girl, for making the world a better place.
I made these bars and they tasted delicious, but mine didn’t set up. I cooked the liquids for 15 seconds after it foamed. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear it! My biggest pieces of advice are to make sure you don’t use a pan any bigger than an 8×8 or they’ll be too thin, and really, really press the heck out of them!
Fabulous! These are just the consistency I had wanted in a homemade granola bar. My daughter approves and suggested we take these for her preschool snack tomorrow! Thanks!
testing these this evening… in the fridge now… sprinkled tiny enjoy life chips on top and pressed them in, cause mama needs chocolate!
Bahahaha! You are a genius – “enjoy life chips” – I love it. :)
I have three grandchildren who are soldiers. One granddaughter is a logistics officer stationed state-side and the other is in the middle east working in a hospital in Qatar where her mother was once stationed. My grandson is currently studing for his medical flight credentials and hopes to go to med school in the near future. They are all so happy serving their country but will be even happier when they receive my goody bag that will include your granola bars. Thank you for the recipe. If you have some other suggestions, I am certainly receptive. My grandson asked for protein bars. Need to find a recipe for them. Again, thank you.
Love the recipe, but I’m going to try it without the honey or a bit and I mean a bit of the “S” word….(sugar)
I made these today. No more processed bars for us. So yummy!
Made these fabulous granola bars this weekend and posted them today (http://www.fransfavs.com/2012/08/chewy-cherry-almond-granola-bars/#more-4153)! Love your site–thanks for the great recipe!
Oh my god, I need them in my life!! Who knew making granola bars was that easy?? This will take my granola addiction to a whooooole new level :D
About Coconut oil, I have tried the Brand you mentioned, recommend you try Cold Press, that brand may have, not sure. I prefer this one . has so much more flavor and goodness,Cheaper coconut oil consist of dried and bleached
These were absolutely delicious! The hubby even loved them! I used half the cherries and added a handful of golden raisins and a half cup of coconut. I also used chia seeds in place of the sesame for some extra fiber!
I can’t wait to cook more of your recipes!!!
Oh these look so delish! I will definitely be trying these soon… btw, coconut oil has several other uses, our favorite being an amazing personal lubricant! It turns liquid when it gets warm ;)