Description
These homemade granola bars are a delicious and nutritious snack made from rolled oats, puffed rice cereal, nut butter, honey, and mixed dried fruits and nuts. Baked to golden perfection, they offer a satisfying crunch and can be customized with chocolate chips for extra sweetness. Perfect for a quick breakfast or an on-the-go energy boost.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup puffed rice cereal (optional, for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or apricots)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional, for extra sweetness)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, puffed rice cereal if using, dried fruit, chopped nuts, salt, and optional chocolate chips. Stir well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Heat Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey or maple syrup, peanut butter, and melted coconut oil or butter. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract if using.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until all dry ingredients are coated evenly with the wet mixture.
- Press & Bake: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared pan. Using a spoon or spatula, firmly press the mixture down to create a compact and even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and become slightly crispy.
- Cool & Cut: Remove the baked granola bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut them into heart-shaped pieces using a cookie cutter or into squares for simpler shapes.
Notes
- For extra crunch, bake the bars a bit longer while closely watching the edges to avoid burning.
- Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Refrigerate for longer shelf life if needed.
