Description
A delicious and easy homemade granola bars recipe featuring toasted oats and nuts bound together with a sweet honey and butter mixture, optionally enhanced with chocolate chips. Perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast on the go.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the granola bars.
- Toast Oats and Nuts: Spread the oats and chopped nuts evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even toasting, until the mixture is lightly toasted. Remove from the oven and transfer the toasted mixture into a large mixing bowl.
- Make the Honey Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble, then remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the warm honey mixture over the toasted oats and nuts. Add the chocolate chips if desired. Stir thoroughly until the oats, nuts, and chocolate chips are evenly coated with the honey mixture.
- Press Mixture into Pan: Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to help the bars hold together.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges turn a golden brown color, indicating the bars are cooked through and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the granola bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut them into bars or squares as desired.
Notes
- For best results, press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together well.
- Store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Customize your bars by swapping nuts or adding dried fruits for additional flavor and texture.
- Using parchment paper with an overhang makes it easier to remove the bars from the pan without breaking.
- Ensure the honey mixture does not overheat to avoid burning or crystallization.
