Chewy Homemade Granola Bars
In short: Chewy oat bars bound with peanut butter and honey, lightly baked and packed with almonds and dried cranberries. A snack that keeps for a week. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 225 kcal
Homemade granola bars cost less than packaged ones, hold no mystery ingredients, and can be tailored to whatever is in the pantry. Three things make them chewy and keep them from crumbling: a sticky binder of peanut butter and honey, warming it so it coats every oat, and pressing the mixture very firmly into the pan. A short bake toasts the oats, and a full cool-down sets the bars so they cut cleanly.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 160°C (325°F). Line a 23 cm (9 in) square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
- Mix the oats, almonds, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
- Warm the peanut butter, honey, brown sugar and oil in a small saucepan over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until smooth and loose. Stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the warm mixture over the oats and stir until every oat is coated. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then stir in the cranberries.
- Tip the mixture into the pan and press it down very firmly with the back of a spatula, then with a flat piece of parchment for extra pressure.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. The center will still look soft.
- Cool completely in the pan, at least 1 hour, then chill for 30 minutes. Lift out and cut into 16 bars with a sharp knife.
Tips
- Pressing is what holds the bars together. Use the back of a spatula, then lean on a sheet of parchment with a flat-bottomed glass.
- Almond butter or sunflower seed butter works in place of peanut butter. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter and swap the almonds for sunflower seeds.
Questions and answers
Why do my granola bars fall apart?
There was not enough binder, the mixture was not pressed firmly, or the bars were cut while warm. Press hard, cool fully and chill for 30 minutes before cutting.
How long do homemade granola bars keep?
They keep for 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature, or 2 weeks in the fridge. They freeze well for 3 months.
Can I make granola bars without nuts?
Yes. Use pumpkin or sunflower seeds in place of the almonds and sunflower seed butter in place of the peanut butter.
How long does it take to make Chewy Homemade Granola Bars?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chewy Homemade Granola Bars?
About 225 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 225 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
