Homemade Granola Bars

Image shows baked granola bars on a plate.

Ditch the store-bought bars and whip up a batch of Homemade Granola Bars! These bars are a customizable and satisfying snack. They're perfect for on-the-go mornings, after-school pick-me-ups, or a healthy alternative to sugary treats.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 30

Cooling Time: 8

Total Time: 8 50

Servings: bars

Calories: 221kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

3 cups oats
3/4 cup coconut flaked
1 cup wheat bran optional
1 cup flax seeds ground or whole
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg fresh ground
1/4 cup olive oil
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar scant
1 cup dried fruits

Instructions

(This part is totally optional) Place the oatmeal and coconut on an ungreased baking sheet and toast at 300 degees for about 10 minutes. This adds to the flavor but totally isn’t necessary if you don’t have the time.
3 cups oats, 3/4 cup coconut
Heat a heavy small saucepan over medium heat, and add the oil and honey. Add the brown sugar, and heat until boiling. Stir for another minute, then remove from the heat.
1/4 cup olive oil, 2/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup brown sugar
Put the toasted oatmeal and coconut into a large mixing bowl. Add the wheat germ and flax seed (also both optional, but they’re yummy and healthy!), as well as the cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix well.
1 cup wheat bran, 1 cup flax seeds, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Add the heated honey mixture to a well made in the center of the dry ingredients.
Stir until well mixed. Add the dried fruits and stir again.
1 cup dried fruits
Place this into a 13×9 greased pan. Lay a piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan to help the granola come out in a single piece more easily.
Slightly wet your hands and gently press down onto the mixture to ensure that it is flat and even.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool overnight (or at least until totally and completely room temperature).
Use a knife to loosen the sides, and then plop out the giant granola bar. Use a very sharp knife to slice into the shape you desire.

Equipment

Jelly Roll Baking Sheet

Parchment Paper for Baking

Chef's Knife

Notes

For the flax seeds, I prefer whole but using ground is also fine, whichever you prefer.
Don't use the quick-cooking kind of oats.
You can use one kind or many dried fruits. But more than about a cup total seems to make it too fruity, at least for me.
For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.

Nutrition

This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.