Homemade Granola Bars

These homemade granola bars are the perfect blend of wholesome and indulgent, combining the chewy texture of a granola bar with the rich flavor of a no-bake cookie. They're loaded with peanut butter, dried fruit, and chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

I am obsessed with these granola bars! They're filling and full of feel-good ingredients like peanut butter, golden raisins, flax meal, and oats.

A batch makes twelve bars so I keep half in the fridge and half in the freezer, just in case I don't get through all of them in a week.

It's so nice to have a homemade snack I can reach for when I'm in a hurry (which is often!) that I crave and look forward to!

Key Ingredients

• Pecans - Toasting nuts draw out their flavor and makes them crunchier! I love pecans for this recipe because of their rich buttery flavor.
• Peanut butter - Adds protein and acts as a binder for the bars. If you can't have peanuts, you can try an alternative nut butter. Just be sure the nut butter is well mixed. If it's separated, it won't come out right.
• Unsalted butter - Butter gives these bars a rich flavor and helps bind them together.
• Honey - For natural sweetness!
• Oats - I buy a big bag of One Degree's gluten-free oats. If you're gluten intolerant or celiac, be sure to buy oats that are labeled gluten-free.
• Golden flax meal - I adore this stuff! It has a mild flavor compared to regular flax meal but with all the awesome benefits! It's a good source of fiber and and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Dried fruit - Golden raisins are another one of my faves! They have no added sugar and the best flavor! Dried cherries add a little bit of tartness, which pairs so well with the chocolate.
• Chocolate chips - Dark is healthier and more indulgent, but semi-sweet works too!

How to Make Granola Bars

• Roast the pecans: Roasting draws the natural oils to the surface for a more intense flavor and better crunch.

• Line the pan: Parchment paper is essential! It makes removing the bars a breeze. Make sure theirs excess parchment hanging off two sides so you can use it as handles.
• Make the oat mixture: Mix the wet or moist ingredients, then add the oats, flax meal, and mix-ins.

• Press the mixture into the pan: Pour it in there, use a spatula to spread it around, then use a parchment square to press the mixture firmly into the pan. No need to get all sticky!

• Chill: Don't cut the bars right away! They need to chill for at least an hour before cutting. Once they're cut, let them firm up in the fridge overnight.

Key Tips

• Cut your parchment paper so at least two sides drape over. You need handles to get the bars out of the pan without a mess.
• The granola bars taste the best when they're chilled. Peanut butter and butter are used as binders and they get very soft when warm. Store these bars in the fridge so they hold together nicely.
• You can use mini chocolate chips if you prefer. This is a personal preference! You get better distribution with minis, but I prefer dark chocolate so I went with bigger ones.

Storage

• Store these granola bars in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to a week.
• I prefer to freeze mine! This way they stay good for up to 6 months, although they never last longer than a couple weeks. And they don't get soft too quickly if I grab one on the go.

Healthy Snacks

• Almond Butter Energy Balls
• Maple Walnut Granola
• Peanut Butter Granola
• Dark Chocolate Granola
• Almond Butter Granola