At our house, the “go to” snack has always been the granola bar. Recently, as the price of a box of granola bars has sky rocketed. And also realizing the nutritional value of most granola bars are typically the same as a candy bar – I had to bust out the big guns and create a Homemade Granola Bars Recipe.
What we LOVE about this simple homemade granola bar recipe, is that the options are endless. You can pick and choose your own ingredients to your own liking. From peanut butter and chocolate chips to any dried fruit and any combination of your favorite nuts, pretzels, coconut or sunflower seeds . And to make it a healthy bar, we will sometimes add wheat germ or ground flax-seed.
One of our favorite combination is the Cinnamon Raisin granola bar. We created this recipe after many (and I do mean many) tries at different recipes.
Mix the oats (Tip – don’t substitute the quick oats with rolled oats, your bars will fall apart!) and coconut. We normally do not add coconut to this recipe, but Chef E decided that was an ingredient he wanted to add. We like to mix things up a bit, so why not, and in went the coconut! And to kick it up a notch, you can also toast the oats and coconut in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Add the rice cereal and the remaining dry ingredients.
In a saucepan combine the butter, sugar, and honey (if you were adding peanut or almond butter, you would also add it to the butter mixture) bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 2 minutes. Take off heat and let cool just a bit then add the vanilla.
Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour the mixture in a parchment lined pan and press hard to make sure they are compact. (Tip – cover the top of the granola with plastic wrap and take another pan that is the same size and press down on the granola to make them even and compact). Throw the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, cut into bars – and enjoy!!!
This recipe is intended to be able to change the ingredients up to however you like and make your own favorite granola bars…..the options are endless. What is your favorite granola bar flavor combination recipe!!??
And don’t forget to check back tomorrow to find out who the lucky winner is and make sure you link up to our Fantastic Thursday which now starts Wednesday nights at 10 pm (MST).
For another great snack idea try our Baked Cinnamon Sugar Churros or our Pretzel Bites recipe!
Ingredients
- 2 c quick oats
- 1 c crispy rice cereal
- 3 T wheat germ
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 c raisins
- 1/4 c butter
- 1/2 c honey
- 1/3 c dark brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine oats, rice cereal, wheat germ, cinnamon and raisins
- In a saucepan melt the butter and add honey, brown sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 2 minutes. Take off heat and add vanilla.
- Pour melted mixture over dry ingredients until well combines and all ingredients are well moistened.
- Pour mixture into a parchment lined 9 X 13 pan and press firmly to make your bars very compact, then press them again just for good measure and to make sure they are nice and tight!
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes, cut into bars and enjoy!
16 Replies to "Homemade Granola Bars Recipe"
Lisa March 14, 2013 (8:29 am)
These look great. May have to make some. I have been looking for an easy healthy granola treat. Glad I came across this. Come visit me sometime. 😉
andi winslow March 14, 2013 (11:43 am)
I printed off the recipe. Love granola bars and they are very pricey in the markets. thank you for the recipe. andi thewednesdaybaker
Jenny March 14, 2013 (1:37 pm)
Thank you! With as many granola bars we go through in a week, it became way too expensive! Thanks for stopping by!
Jackie Karlic (The Non-Martha Momma) March 14, 2013 (12:53 pm)
Hi! Followed you over from A Creative Princess blog hop. I definitely want to try this. My husband loves granola bars and I agree that they are too costly. Also, I’m sure my 16 month old would love this. I actually made something kind of similar using PB, oatmeal, wheat germ, coconut, etc. Here’s the link if you want to check it out: http://www.thenonmarthamomma.com/2013/03/no-bake-peanut-butter-oatmeal-energy.html
Jenny March 14, 2013 (1:36 pm)
Those look yummy! We LOVE peanut butter in our recipes as well. Delicious!!
Miz Helen March 16, 2013 (2:04 pm)
We are going to just love your Granola Bars, they look awesome! Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
pkadamsut March 20, 2013 (7:07 am)
Thank you for sharing on Blog Stalking Thursday at The Crafty Blog Stalker. You have been featured this week. I would love for you to stop by to grab a feature button! Wear it proudly – after all, your practically famous! Blog Stalking Thursday Features
Jenny March 21, 2013 (1:59 pm)
Thank you so MUCH!!! I will stop by!!!
Nichi - The Mandatory Mooch March 20, 2013 (11:03 am)
I love these, Jenny. Can’t wait to make them with my kids.I will be FEATURING this post on Tasty Thursdays this week. The party will be live tonight. Thanks for linking up!! Nichi
Jenny March 21, 2013 (1:58 pm)
I am so glad you like them!! Thank you so much!
Krista @ joyfulheathyeats March 21, 2013 (8:00 am)
These look yummy! And probably so much better for you than the ones you buy in the store. At least here you know what goes in them. Thanks for the great kid friendly idea! 🙂
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats
Miz Helen March 21, 2013 (10:07 am)
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy your new RED PLATE.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Jenny March 21, 2013 (1:57 pm)
Thank you so much!!!
Julia Forshee March 21, 2013 (2:42 pm)
I love involving the kids whenever I can. It does take a little longer, but at least I know where they are 🙂 I know our readers will love it, too! We have a weekly Thursday (today:) link up party at allthingswithpurpose.com. We would love to see this post there along with the post on dying your jeans!! We are also your newest FB like 🙂
Maribel April 27, 2013 (10:27 am)
I would love to try this…if I want to add whole almonds what is a suggested measurement