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Healthy Homemade Granola Bars

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A quick and easy 5-ingredient recipe for wholesome, crunchy granola bars perfect for on-the-go snacking. These bars balance chewy and crispy textures with natural sweetness and healthy fats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (180 g)
  • 1 cup raw nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans), roughly chopped (120 g)
  • 1/3 cup natural honey (113 g)
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter, creamy (128 g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dark chocolate (75 g)
  • Optional: 2 tbsp chia seeds or flaxseeds (20 g)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. (5 minutes)
  2. Toast the oats and chopped nuts on a baking sheet in the oven for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Watch carefully to avoid burning. (10 minutes)
  3. In a large bowl, combine honey, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Warm slightly in the microwave for 20-30 seconds if needed and stir until smooth. (5 minutes)
  4. Add the toasted oats and nuts to the wet mixture and stir well until evenly coated. Fold in any optional dried fruit or seeds now. (5 minutes)
  5. Transfer the mixture to the lined pan and press firmly and evenly using a spatula or lightly wet hands. (5 minutes)
  6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to prevent dryness. (15-18 minutes)
  7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes to set. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab from the pan. (30 minutes)
  8. Cut into 10-12 bars with a sharp knife and store in an airtight container. (5 minutes)

Notes

Toast oats and nuts separately to enhance flavor and crunch. Warm honey and nut butter slightly for easier mixing and better binding. Press mixture firmly before baking to prevent crumbling. Cool bars completely before cutting to ensure clean slices. If bars are crumbly, try adding a tablespoon of melted butter or pressing more firmly next time. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, refrigerate for two weeks, or freeze for up to three months.

Nutrition

Keywords: granola bars, healthy snack, homemade granola bars, easy granola bars, 5-ingredient snack, wholesome snack, crunchy granola bars

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/healthy-homemade-granola-bars-recipe-easy-5-ingredient-wholesome-snack/