American · Baking

Homemade Granola Bars

Chewy, nutty bars of toasted oats, almonds, seeds and dried cranberries, held together with honey and peanut butter. Better and cheaper than the shop-bought kind.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 40 min hands on plus 1 hr Cooling and setting Serves 12 servings Easy
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How to Make Homemade Granola Bars

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  1. Heat the oven to 175°C / 350°F (155°C / 310°F fan). Line a 20 cm square tin with baking parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides.

  2. Spread the oats, almonds and sunflower seeds on a baking tray and toast for 8 minutes, stirring once, until golden. Tip into a large bowl and stir in the cranberries.

  3. Put the honey, peanut butter, brown sugar and coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon and salt.

  4. Pour the warm binder over the oat mixture and stir until every piece is coated.

  5. Tip the mixture into the tin and press down very firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon or a flat glass, especially into the corners.

  6. Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges are golden. Cool completely in the tin, about 1 hour, before lifting out and cutting into 12 bars.

Tips for Making Homemade Granola Bars

  • Press hard. Firm, even pressure is the difference between bars that hold together and a tin of granola.
  • Cool the bars completely before cutting. They are soft while warm and set as the honey and sugar cool.
  • Cut with a sharp, heavy knife in a sawing motion. If they crumble at the edges, chill them for 20 minutes first.

What to Serve with Homemade Granola Bars

  • Greek yoghurt
  • Fresh fruit
  • Coffee

Storing & Reheating Homemade Granola Bars

Keeps in an airtight container for 1 week, or wrapped individually in the freezer for 3 months.

Homemade Granola Bars FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Homemade Granola Bars take to make?

About 40 minutes of hands-on work — 15 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour of Cooling and setting, so allow 1 hour 40 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 12.

What are the key tips for making Homemade Granola Bars?

Press hard. Firm, even pressure is the difference between bars that hold together and a tin of granola. Cool the bars completely before cutting. They are soft while warm and set as the honey and sugar cool. Cut with a sharp, heavy knife in a sawing motion. If they crumble at the edges, chill them for 20 minutes first.

What should I serve with Homemade Granola Bars?

Greek yoghurt; Fresh fruit; Coffee.

Can Homemade Granola Bars be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in an airtight container for 1 week, or wrapped individually in the freezer for 3 months.

Is Homemade Granola Bars suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian and dairy-free. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Homemade Granola Bars?

About 308 kcal per serving, with 7 g protein, 34 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Homemade Granola Bars Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

308Calories
7gProtein
34gCarbs
16gFat
4gFibre
18gSugar
120mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.