Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (2024)

2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

| 4 Comments |

4.95 from 17 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

Wondering how to make healthy homemade granola bars? These are simple to put together, no bake and ultra chewy – this is the best easy granola bar recipe you’ve been waiting for!

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (1)

Raise your hand if you love granola bars!

Granola bars are one of my favorite snacks/emergency breakfasts/I-will-not-make-it-to-dinner fixes.

But also, granola bars are usually individually wrapped AND full of sugar (which makes me nauseous in my currently pregnant state) – two things I’m trying to avoid right now.

Which is why, tadaa, I figured I’d start making my own healthy snack bars again.

And thus, this Healthy Homemade Granola Bar recipe was born.

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (2)

These are so easy to make. No bake!! And after a little chillin’ they turn into the BEST chewy granola bars, ever.

And kind of easier than energy bites (though I do love those, too!) – no rolling or using the food processor. Energy BARS for the win ??

Full of healthy fats, fiber and just the right amount of sweetness? Our new favorite meal prep snack!

How to make granola bars:

Since these are no bake granola bars, all you have to do is mix the dry ingredients.

Warm the liquid ingredients and stir into the dry ingredients… Then spread in a lined pan and chill.

Cut into bars and that’s it!

Tips for the best homemade granola bars, ever:

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (3)

Don’t heat the liquid ingredients too much.

You just need the get the liquid ingredients warmed enough so they’re combined and easily poured into the dry ingredients.

If you heat them too much/boil them, they could ball up and become weirdly dry and brittle.

What if the mix doesn’t seem to come together?

Since this is such a sticky mess, haha!, it can be a little hard to mix the liquid ingredients all the way into the dry ingredients.

You might have to use clean, slightly damp hands to get everything totally mixed up. It’s way easier than fighting with a wooden spoon ?

Switch them up to your taste:

You can alter these in so many ways to make them perfect for you!

  • switch up the fruit/nuts, just make sure you chop them
  • keep them gluten free granola bars by making sure the oats (and all other ingredients) are certified gluten free
  • make vegan energy bars by using ½ cup maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey – you might need to add an extra ¼ cup of oats because honey tends to be thicker than maple syrup
  • not a fan of chocolate chips in your granola bar? Leave them out or use taco nibs instead

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How to store these homemade chewy granola bars:

These are best kept in an airtight container in the fridge, layers separated with parchment paper.

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These bars keep well for 1-2 weeks in the fridge, or for a month in the freezer. I mean, if you manage to make them last that long ?

They are fine to take with you in your purse for a few hours, make sure you pack them into a container though – they do soften at room temperature.

Get the printable recipe for these healthy homemade granola bars here:

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Healthy Homemade Granola Bars

Wondering how to make healthy homemade granola bars? These are simple to put together, no bake and ultra chewy!

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

4.95 from 17 votes

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Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 5 minutes mins

Chilling Time 2 hours hrs

Total 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 20 bars

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups oats
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips OR cacao nibs
  • ¼ cup ground flax
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds optional for an extra boost in nutrients
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Liquid Ingredients

  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter I use an all-natural one
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Instructions

  • Line the bottom and sides of an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang so you can easily lift out the bars later.

  • Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir the liquid ingredients together in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix well.

  • Evenly spread the mix in the prepared pan and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Cut into bars and store in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or in the freezer for 1 month.

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Notes

I cut these into relatively small bars because they are so rich and satisfying. And then I usually have two, but my kids will have one. Feel free to make larger bars if you need more substantial snacks or are making these for a quick grab and go breakfast.

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 40mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Snack

Cuisine: Healthy

Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (7)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Anita says

    Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (10)
    Made this recipe l love it did it with apricots as didn’t have cranberries put some seasame seeds as didn’t have all ingredients l did one half with plain chocolate other plain on top

    Reply

    • Nora says

      I’m so glad, Anita!

      Reply

  2. Estie says

    Healthy Homemade Granola Bars {Meal Prep Friendly Recipe} (11)
    Just loved them

    Reply

    • Nora Rusev says

      I’m so glad, Estie!

      Reply

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