Homemade Baked Granola Bars (Easy and Healthy Recipe) 

These homemade baked granola bars are a healthy and easy recipe everyone in your family will love! Chances are you’ll be asked to whip up a quick batch weekly.

The best granola bars made from scratch are chewy and delicious but also hold their shape for easy snacking. You can whip up this simple recipe in just a few minutes, bake, and enjoy! 

Granola bars are a big hit around our home. If your kids are anything like mine they are in constant need of a snack. I love having quick healthy items they can grab easily on their own but sometimes healthy snack ideas that have great flavor are hard to find.

Often my kids choose fruit or yogurt with this granola, but lately, my kids have been asking for these chocolate chip granola bars. They are made from simple, healthy ingredients that I can feel good about giving them! 

Why you will love these baked granola bars:

Creating more nourishing foods has become a priority for our family. Part of our journey has been recreating recipes for prepackaged snacks that we used to buy from the grocery store, like granola bars.

We’ve tried several recipes but most trials ended with a bar that was tasty but fell apart in little hands before getting a taste. That was not the case for this one! These granola bars are soft and chewy but also hold together well in little fingers. It truly is the best granola bar you’ll have.

Not only are they super tasty, but they are made from scratch with wholesome real-food ingredients. You won’t need to worry about preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. They are a healthier version of the store-bought granola bars. They are sweetened with honey and chocolate chips instead of being loaded with refined sugars. 

These granola bars also store well in an airtight container after cooling and being cut. You can also wrap them individually in beeswax wraps (we prefer these to plastic wrap) for lunchboxes or for traveling. My kids like to pack a snack for walks or hikes and these are perfect for just that!

There are so many possible granola bar variations. You can tailor them to fit your family’s tastes. Just be sure not to overload your granola bar mixture or they won’t keep their shape. Possible mix-ins are flax seed, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, or coconut flakes. 

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INGREDIENTS:

You’ll only need 6 ingredients for these homemade baked granola bars!

• Coconut oil: We use coconut oil because it is one of the healthier fats and will help your granola bars keep their shape.
• Honey: Along with the coconut oil, using honey is a great way to make sure your bars stick together. Plus it gives a sweetness to your bar while avoiding a more unhealthy sweeter. We haven’t tried making these with maple syrup so I can’t say it would work but it may be worth a shot if you’re not a fan of honey.
• Salt: Using a little salt will help all of the other flavors come together. I prefer Redmonds Real Salt. I’m never without it!
• Vanilla: Be sure to use pure vanilla extract in your homemade granola bar recipe. Imitation is less expensive but has added chemicals that you just don’t need or want.
• Quick oats: Using quick oats will allow for chewy granola bars that will cook faster than if you use old-fashioned oats or steel cut. 
• Mini-chocolate chips: They add a little crunch and a sweetness that your kids will love. I recommend chopping your larger chocolate chips if you don’t have the mini chocolate chips. You can do this quickly by popping them in your food processor. 

How to Make Homemade Baked Granola Bars

In a medium sauce pan you’ll want to add your coconut oil, salt, and honey. We try to use local honey just for the added health benefits but any honey will do. Heat your wet ingredients over medium heat, stirring together with a rubber spatula. 

Once combined, let it cool for 2 minutes. This is important. Do not skip this step. 

Next, add vanilla and oats to your honey mixture and stir. At this point you can transfer to a large mixing bowl so that you can make sure you’re getting your dry ingredients coated with honey. 

Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper and sprinkle half of the chocolate chips in your prepared pan. 

Spread the oat mixture on top of the chocolate chips and spread evenly. Topping with the rest of the chocolate chips. 

Then place an additional sheet of parchment paper over your bars and press down. You’ll want to press well to make sure your granola bars take shape. You can do this with your hand or the back of a measuring cup.

Lastly, bake granola bars at 300°F for 30 minutes just until they are golden brown.

Cool completely on a wire cooling rack. This is the hardest part because you’re going to want to eat these immediately!

After cooling to room temperature, you can pop these out onto a cutting board and cut them into bars using a sharp knife. 

Tips/Troubleshooting

• Be sure you heat the liquids on medium and cool for the full 2 minutes before adding the vanilla and oats.
• Make sure you pack them tightly between the two sheets of parchment to ensure they keep their shape but don’t smash them too thin.
• Use quick-cooking oats, not old-fashioned rolled oats or steel-cut oats.
• Cool completely before cutting!
• When storing your bars, use an airtight container and add a sheet of parchment between them to keep them from sticking. I prefer to store mine in the fridge so that there’s no chance of melting. 
• Add mix-ins of your liking but don’t overdo it. Your mixture will be too heavy for your bars to hold their shape. 
• If for some reason you don’t eat them all quickly or if you make a double batch, you can freeze these for up to 2 months. Just let them thaw on the counter before eating.

These easy homemade granola bars are the perfect snack for after school or even as a quick breakfast. They are so much healthier than the store-bought bars with added ingredients you and your family don’t need. Next time your kids are looking for a snack, make your own granola bars and even have them help. This is a great recipe for little helping hands! 

Want Even More Snack Recipes

If you enjoy homemade baked granola bars, then I invite you to check out my Snacks From Scratch recipe guide!

This collection of recipes is designed for families who want to create delicious, wholesome snacks together. Ditch the prepackaged, store-bought options and embrace healthier alternatives that not only taste better but also save you money.

If you try this recipe, let us know how it goes by leaving a comment and rating it. Also, be sure to tag me on Instagram. I’d love to see what you’re baking. 

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