Are you looking for a good granola bar recipe?
This recipe won’t disappoint.
These delightfully chewy granola bars include all the goodness of everyone’s favorite Quaker granola bars, but without the corn syrup, refined sugar, and long list of artificial ingredients. So if you’re looking for a good granola bar recipe…
It’s staring you in the face. 🙂
Unless you are extremely tall or your computer is low to the ground.
Then it’s staring you in the belly button.
It even looks like a face. See the eyes and the nose? Those would be made out of chocolate chips. Yes, a chocolate chip face.
Are you jealous?
I am!
Oh, to live life with a chocolate chip face…
Quaker Style Chewy Granola Bars
(Can be gluten-free)
- 1 cup rolled oats (for all substitution notes, see nutrition link below)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup rice crispies (brown, white, or gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp oat flour (see recipe instructions below for an easy substitution) 55g
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or veg oil (See nutrition link below for notes on a fat-free version.)
- 1/4 cup agave (Honey will also work, but not for strict vegans.)
- 1-2 packs stevia (up to 1/16 tsp uncut) or 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar or extra liquid sweetener
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp applesauce (banana would probably work as well, or pumpkin!)
- Ideas for the add-ins: mini chocolate chips, chopped raisins or other dried fruit, shredded coconut, chopped walnuts, etc.
Unless you’re doing the no-bake option, preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all dry ingredients and mix very well. (If you don’t have oat flour: simply grind rolled oats in a food processor to make oat flour. Be sure to measure the correct amount of flour for the recipe after grinding, not before.) In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Stir wet into dry and use another sheet of parchment (or wax) paper to squish evenly-coated mixture into a parchment-lined 7×5 pan (or double the recipe for a bigger pan). Squish very, very hard, with a can or something heavy. Either fridge until firm (the no-bake option is firmer if you use coconut oil), or cook 18 minutes, then squish very hard again. Cool in the fridge for at least ten minutes before cutting into bars.
These bars can be stored at room temp, but if you use coconut oil they’re best kept in the fridge. Or they can even be frozen. The bars thaw very well. Other homemade granola bar recipes:
(Click on the photos to see the recipes.)
Do you wish you were taller?
Or shorter? Or are you happy exactly the way you are? I’m 5’5, and I always wanted to be taller when I was growing up. But now I actually like my average height. My grandpa used to say that you’re tall enough as long as your feet touch the ground. How are grandparents so wise? 🙂
For some reason when I saw this I thought about dried strawberries and pretzels as a combo for this. I’m dreaming about strawberry pretzel dessert I guess.
Just wondering if you can answer a few questions about stevia? What brand do you use? Is the liquid or powder better? Is it possible to substitute one for another? I notice sometimes you use liquid and sometimes you mention packets. In my area I’ve only found liquid and a container of stevia, but not packets. How much is in a packet? The brand I found is not very good so I’m looking for some alternatives. Thanks for your help!
I really like NuNaturals because it has no aftertaste. I usually use the pure stevia; the packets aren’t actually 100% stevia, so it’s impossible to say how much stevia is in a packet. They measure 1/2 tsp, but it’s not all stevia. But if you can’t find NuNaturals you can always order online. It’s seriously so much better than any of the other brands I’ve tried :).
You can get plastic surgery for almost anything…except to get taller. I’m 5’2 and if there were a surgery that would add about 3″, I’d be all over that!
These granola bars look delicious! I love that you use the same ingredients in most of your recipes because I always have them in stock from an earlier recipe. Making these tomorrow!
I am 5’5″ as well, but I would love to have an extra 2-3 inches!
You’ve got me beat, I’m only 5’4″…and that’s rounding up!!! I always thought the average height for a woman was taller, but 5’5″ is pretty much the standard. I saw a shirt once that said, “I’m not short…I’m FUN-SIZED!” Considering it’s a reference to chocolate, I thought you might appreciate it 😉
These look yummy! I tried making granola bars a few weeks ago and they are okay, but these look better.
Ok so I definitely need to try this! I have been wanting to make my own bars. I have been buying some to see what kinds I like and want to try to make at home. I really want to try making the Odwalla Chocowalla bar at home. Have you tried it?! It is chocolate heaven. I wonder if this recipe could be similar to the texture of that, I may have to try it. Or will need you to try to make one for me as soon as you have time after this giveaway dies down. lol Thank you for all the awesome recipes. I don’t usually comment, but I want you to know I appreciate all your hard-work!
I don’t think I’ve seen those! Will have to look for them :).
I wrote thus as a reply in your last post but didnt think you got it, so i difured i would repost here as it is more pertinent to this recipe:
Katie, is the pure uncut stuff 100% stevia extract? I’ve got a bottle (it is a powder) from Trader Joe’s with the label “100% stevia extract” that I have never used and I always wonder if that is what you are referring to when you mention “uncut” stevia in your recipes? If not, then what is it and where can I find it?
P.S. I wanted to tell you that you look absolutely gorgeous in your mother’s day photo with your mom!
Sorry, I’m way behind in answering qs. I woke up to 5000 new emails last night :(. (Sadly, that’s not an exaggeration.)
Yes, uncut means 100%. You can tell if the only ingredient is stevia. It’s very hard to measure, which is why they add other ingredients to the packets. One serving is just 1/32 tsp! 😉
And thank you so much!!! 🙂
(You think I put enough emoticons in that reply?) 🙂
Yum! I subbed the oil with peanut butter and more applesauce. They turned out great! nice and soft. They were gone within 2 hours. My family looooved them 😀
Haha, and yeah! I always want to be 5’7. Never quite made it though(5’5)
These were awesome! Thanks Katie!
And now I think I’ll have to make another batch tomorrow (cuz mine are all gone)! I’m going to try the pb suggestion from the person above me. 🙂
Made these today and I will never eat another store bought granola bar in my life! I used Trader Joe’s “Shredded Spoonfuls” cereal instead of rice krispies and added dried cranberries, walnuts, and a good dash of cinnamon. Love love love.
That put a big smile on my face. Plus, I’m glad to know it worked well with the cereal!
Yum! I just made these using peanut butter instead of coconut oil, and they turned out great! Also, I didn’t have oat flour so I replaced it with ground up cheerios and and used maple syrup instead of agave…added dark chocolate covered raisins and cranberries, and they taste wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks for trying them out with maple syrup! I was hoping someone would! 🙂