These easy and homemade healthy granola bars are packed with rolled oats, crispy cereal, and mini chocolate chips!
Super Healthy Granola Bars
Back in 2012, when I first posted a recipe for homemade chewy granola bars, I had no idea it would still be so popular five years later, with over 28,000 repins and twelve pages of positive reader reviews.
Even the best recipes can be improved upon, and today I’m sharing my updated version of the classic granola bar recipe, complete with six new flavor variations.
The recipe makes double the amount of the original. I also fixed up the photos and added a few new ones as well. This is one of those recipes that’s withstood the test of time. Five years later, readers are still making it!
Also Try These Vegan Brownies – NO Crazy Ingredients
These homemade granola bars have slightly better nutrition facts than store-bought Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, but–more importantly–they have a MUCH shorter and cleaner ingredient list!
View Quaker’s Ingredient List
How To Make The Healthy Granola Bars:
Stir together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk liquid ingredients together in a separate bowl, then stir wet into dry.
Transfer the granola bar mixture to a pan lined with parchment paper, and press down as firmly as you can.
Either bake in a preheated oven for 18 minutes OR simply chill until firm, then slice – there is no baking required!
Healthy Granola Bar Flavors:
- Chocolate Chip Granola Bars: Stir 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips in with the dry ingredients.
- Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars: Stir 1/2 cup chopped raisins and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in with the dry ingredients.
- Nutella Granola Bars: Replace the oil with my Healthy Nutella, and add mini chocolate chips and chopped hazelnuts if desired.
- Vanilla Almond Granola Bars: Stir 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds in with the dry ingredients, and add a few drops pure almond extract to the liquid ingredients.
- Trail Mix Granola Bars: Stir 1/4 cup each chia seeds, shredded coconut, and chopped, dried cranberries in with the dry ingredients.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Granola Bars: Replace the oil with 1/4 cup peanut butter or nut butter of choice.
Edit: and now there is a pumpkin version!
Healthy Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup rice crispies (brown, white, or gluten-free)
- 3/4 cup oat flour, or process oats in a blender to make your own
- 1/4 cup melted coconut or vegetable oil OR nut butter of choice
- 1/2 cup raw agave or honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar OR 1/8 tsp pure stevia
- 1/4 cup applesauce or mashed banana
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Variations: see flavor list under the third photo in this post
InstructionsÂ
- Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside. If you wish to bake the bars, preheat oven to 350 F. Stir together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk liquid ingredients together in a separate bowl, then stir wet into dry. Transfer to the prepared pan. Smooth down firmly, using a second sheet of parchment or wax paper. Press down as hard as you can. For no-bake healthy granola bars, chill until firm. (The no-bake option is also firmer if you use coconut oil.) For baked granola bars, cook on the center rack 18 minutes, then press down firmly again. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. View Nutrition Facts
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So i have these in the oven now, when i did it they seemed thick thou i used 8×8 pan. Wondering if i was suppose to layer like pit parchment then do another stack ? Hopefully it turns our well
Hello,
can I substitute the rice crispies with puffed amaranth?
Thanks
Sorry haven’t tried, but be sure to report back if you experiment!
How long do they last in the fridge or in room temp.?
Do you happen to have a calorie count figured out on these?
These are so good! I used almond meal flour instead of oat flour & I baked mine. I tried to take a short cut & not use an extra sheet of parchment paper to press them down, so they turned out a little crumbly. Next time I will not skip that step!
Should I still use baking soda if not using the baking method?
Yes it is for flavor
Can I substitute the rice crispies with something else ? 🙂
You could probably use more oats, but you will have to experiment! Be sure to report back if you do!
Hi there! These look amazing! I was wondering if I could omit the honey and just add more applesauce? I’m type 2 diabetic and would like to cut back on honey and sugars. Thanks!
you can always experiment, and be sure to report back with results if you do!
Hey Katie
I am going to bake these bars
Questions?
1. receipe states 3/4 cup oat flour, or process oats in a blender to make your own (110g) can I use oatmeal and blend into flour or almonds blend and make into flour.
Also what is the difference between the texture of the bars if using banana or applesauce . Does one bind or hold the bar better than the other? in there a difference in the taste because banana is over powering in some ingredients.
Please answer I want to make these?
THanks Dot
Katie this recipe says
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp oat flour (see recipe instructions below for an easy substitution) 55g
can I use oatmeal and ground into flour or almond flour.
Also I it said 2 tbsp applesauce (banana would probably work as well, or pumpkin!)
whats the difference in terms of the binding and taste. will the banana or pumpkin be too over powering.
Please answer I want to make these ASAP.
Thanks Curious Dorothy
Yes you can use oats ground into flour. Measure after blending. Either banana or applesauce works well.
Can other flours be used other than oat flour? For example, spelt, buckwheat?
I don’t see why not, but we haven’t tried. Be sure to report back if you do!
Jason (media relations)
Ready for school lunches!
Love your photo!
Hi, I cann’t get rice crispy easy where I live. C
I live. Can I changed for another
ingredient?
Thanks.
The recipe turned out delicious as written (with honey), but I would like to use the stevia option to cut down on the sugar and carbs. Is the 1/8 tsp. pure stevia the same as stevia glycerite, or powdered stevia, or something like SweetLeaf liquid stevia? There are so many different kinds…I’m confused! Thanks!
WOW!! This is so awesome, and flexible and versatile… I’ve made them with several changes, and are perfect every time. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Tried this today and the bars tasted so awesome. I added 1/4 th cup desiccated coconut and instead of applesauce I used 1 egg. Thank you so much for this recipe ?