Healthy Granola Bar Recipe

By PKMom

Many people are surprised that you can whip up homemade granola bars as easily as a quick batch of chocolate chip cookies. There are endless variations to this recipe, and I can almost guarantee it will become a family favorite!
Scroll down for variations including chocolate, peanut butter, gluten free, dairy free and more!

Ingredients

• Add-ins to equal 2 cups total:
• 1 c. butter, softened
• 1 c. honey
• 4 1/2 c. rolled oats
• 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2-1 tsp. cinnamon
• mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• chopped walnuts
• dried fruit
• sunflower seeds
• coconut
• other nuts…

Details

Adapted from kitchenstewardship.com

Preparation

Step 1

Instructions

1. Lightly butter a 9”×13” glass pan. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, honey, and vanilla. Tip: If your butter isn’t softened, use a rolling pin and roll it between two sheets of wax paper. Or mash it with your hands while in the wrapper. Our secret.

2. Add the oats, flour, cinnamon and baking soda. Beat well until combined. Stir in add-ins by hand. Press mixture hard into pan. (You can use your hands!)

3. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-22 minutes until just golden brown on the edges. You will think they are too soft. They are not. Just remind yourself that there’s not even any egg in the recipe, so you can’t hurt anybody if you underbake.

4. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing and serving. Store at room temperature or freeze.

Notes
Stickier, Chewier Granola Bars: The one drawback of this original recipe is that it tends to be a bit crumbly, especially if you overbake the bars even slightly. You can avoid that by melting the butter, honey and vanilla in a saucepan and cooking on low for 5 minutes after the butter melts, then mixing the liquid ingredients into the dry. May need to add a little extra honey to hold bars together.