Healthy Granola Bars

These healthy homemade granola bars are filled with oats, flax and chia seeds, peanut butter and sweetened with honey. This is the perfect on-the-go snack for adults and kids!

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Homemade healthy granola bars against white background

If you find yourself seeking store-bought chewy granola bars, you’re going to love these healthy homemade granola bars. Not only are they full of fiber, protein and good-for-you ingredients, they’re also free of refined sugar (and all of that hard to pronounce junk that is often in store bought versions).

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make These Healthy Homemade Granola Bars

These homemade granola bars are packed with nutrient-rich ingredients and offer the perfect hint of sweetness. If we’re making our own version of traditional granola bars, we might as well pack a nutrient punch, right?!

Quick Oats
Almonds, or other nut of choice
Flax Meal
Chia Seeds
Cinnamon
Salt
Coconut oil
Natural peanut butter
Honey
Vanilla
Chocolate chips (optional)
Raisins (optional)

Kitchen Tools to Make These Granola Bars

I would argue that making these granola bars is almost easier than buying them at the store; it’s that easy! In fact, you only need a short list of tools to make them:

Mixing bowl
8×8 inch baking pan
Parchment paper
Spatula
Small saucepan
Measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1 tbsp, 1 tsp and 1/2 tsp)

How to Make The Granola Bars

The first step to making these healthy granola bars is to add the dry ingredients to your mixing bowl. Once you have added the oats, flax meal, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt to the bowl, stir to combine.

Next, you want to melt the coconut oil, honey, peanut butter and vanilla in a small saucepan. Heat until warmed through and the coconut oil has melted.

Now, you will add the wet ingredients to the mixing bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until combined well.

Before adding the chocolate chips, we want to allow the mixture to cool for at least 30 minutes. This just prevents the chocolate chips from melting and causing a super sticky (but delicious) mess.

Once the mixture has cooled, you can add the chocolate chips and raisins, if desired.

From there, you’ll evenly press the mixture into your prepared 8×8 inch baking dish, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours before using a knife to cut into desired sizes. I like to cut mine into 9 even(ish) squares and wrap individually so they are ready to go whenever hunger strikes.

A Healthier Granola Bar Recipe

I am a huge fan of granola bars and the convenience they offer. But have you ever looked at the ingredients list on your favorite store-bought bar? It seems like so many bars have lists that are a mile long without actually offering much in terms of nutrients. Plus, look at the sugar content in many of those bars. Maybe this is the mom in me now, but I have become increasingly aware of the amount of sugar in many of our foods and try to minimize what I can when it comes to refined sugars.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good candy bar every now and then. But if I am looking for a nutritious snack to sustain my energy, I think we can do better than most store-bought options – especially when I know my toddler will want to eat some too.

Ways to Make it Your Own

One thing I love about making your own granola bars is the option to add or change ingredients to make it fit your preferences. This recipe offers a few areas to substitute and customize in order to make it your own

Almonds:

while the recipe calls for almonds, you can absolutely use whichever nuts you prefer – even a combination of nuts would work too! Think walnuts, cashews, peanuts, even pumpkin seeds.

Coconut oil:

You can use whichever cooking oil you prefer here. Olive and avocado are popular alternatives.

Peanut Butter:

I love peanut butter! But if you don’t, that’s ok! Any kind of natural nut butter would work here. Although I haven’t tested it, I am sure sunflower butter would also work well.

Honey:

You can use maple syrup or even molasses here if you don’t want to use the honey.

Chocolate Chips:

Don’t like chocolate chips? You can sub them with white chocolate or caramel chips. Or just omit them altogether if you’re not feeling them!

Add-ins:

There is always the option to add in anything that might fit your taste preferences. Things people typically add include things like dried fruit, crushed candies, coconut flakes or extra nuts.