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overhead shot of homemade granola bars with a variety of flavors
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4.79 from 19 votes

PERFECT Homemade Granola Bars (+ 7 flavors!)

This post shows you how to make homemade granola bars, plus 7 different flavor variations! The perfect sweet treat to enjoy with your morning coffee.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
chill + resting time4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time4 hours 27 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 225kcal
Author: Denise Bustard

Ingredients

Classic Chocolate Chip

  • ½ cup honey 156 g; see note 1
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil 74 g; see note 2
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup almonds coarsely chopped
  • 3 cups rolled oats 284 g; see note 3
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips 45 g

Monster Cookie Granola Bars

  • ½ cup honey (156 g)
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (74 g)
  • ⅓ cup all natural peanut butter (84 g; almond butter works too)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 cups rolled oats (284 g)
  • ½ cup almonds (coarsely chopped)
  • ½ cup mini M & M's
  • 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (18 g)

Fruit & Nut Granola Bars

  • ½ cup honey (156 g)
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (74 g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds & pecans)
  • ½ cup dried fruit (cranberries & blueberries)
  • 3 cups rolled oats (284 g)

Mocha Granola Bars

  • ½ cup honey (156 g)
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (74 g)
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 cups rolled oats (284 g)
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (45 g)

Double Chocolate Granola Bars

  • ½ cup honey (156 g)
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (74 g)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 cups rolled oats (284 g)
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (45 g)

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

  • ½ cup honey (156 g)
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (74 g)
  • ⅓ cup natural peanut butter (84 g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup chopped almonds or peanuts
  • 3 cups rolled oats (284 g)
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (45 g)

Almond Butter Snickerdoodle Granola Bars

  • ½ cup honey (156 g)
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil (74 g)
  • ⅓ cup natural almond butter (84 g)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 cups rolled oats (284 g)
  • ¼ cup toffee bits

Instructions

  • Simmer- Combine honey, coconut oil and nut butter (if using) in a medium pot. Bring to a simmer, and once pot starts bubbling up all over, start the timer for 1.5 minutes (for chocolate chip & fruit & nut) or 1 minute (for all others).
  • Rest- When time is up, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, cocoa powder (for double chocolate), cinnamon (for snickerdoodle almond butter), espresso powder (for mocha). Let it cool down for 10-15 minutes.
  • Pan- While pot is cooling, prepare a 9x9 inch baking dish with parchment paper (I secure mine with binder clips).
  • Add dry ingredients- Stir in all remaining ingredients until evenly coated and press into the prepared pan. Spray a spatula with oil and press down into the pan. Press firmly (I go through and press 2-3 times, spraying spatula again as needed).
  • Chill- Cool in the fridge for 4 hours- overnight (overnight is best!), before slicing into bars.

Storage

  • Store in a sealed container in the fridge (they soften at room temperature) for up to a week or the freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

1- honey is crucial to binding these bars; do not replace with maple syrup. Other liquid sweeteners have not been tested.
2- it may be possible to swap coconut oil for butter, however I have not tested.
3- rolled oats are sometimes called 'old fashioned' or 'large flake'. Do not swap for quick or steel cut oats.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1classic chocolate chip granola bar | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1.2mg