Best 7 Base Granola Bar Recipes

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When life gets busy, it's easy to reach for a granola bar as a convenient and portable snack. However, many store-bought granola bars are packed with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. Making your own granola bars at home allows you to control the ingredients and create a healthier and more delicious snack. This article will provide you with a base granola bar recipe that you can customize to your own taste preferences. Whether you prefer a chewy or crunchy texture, a variety of nuts or seeds, or the sweetness of dried fruits, this recipe can be adapted to create the perfect granola bar for you.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EASY GRANOLA BARS



Easy Granola Bars image

Fantastic bars that have a lot of flexibility. You can adapt the recipe to your liking. Great for hikes, long road trips and camping as they store well and keep fairly long - unless you eat them all! Use any combination of chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut, pecans, almond slices, or any other tidbits you'd like in a granola bar.

Provided by Aliceyn Fokuhl

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Snacks     Granola Bar Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sweetened condensed milk, butter, coconut, almonds, chocolate chips and cranberries with your hands until well blended. Press flat into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, depending on how crunchy you want them. Lightly browned just around the edges will give you moist, chewy bars. Let cool for 5 minutes, cut into squares then let cool completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 calories, Carbohydrate 24.8 g, Cholesterol 8.1 mg, Fat 8.1 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 37.8 mg, Sugar 16.2 g

BASE GRANOLA BAR RECIPE



Base Granola Bar Recipe image

The base recipe for 8 easy homemade granola bar recipes that come together in a snap. Variations include peanut butter chocolate, M&M, Sweet and Salty, and more!

Provided by Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess

Categories     Snacks

Time 25m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup nuts, roughly chopped
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cups total extra mix-ins (about 1/4 cup of 3 different ingredients such as dried fruits, coconut, chocolate chips, etc. please see the post following the recipe for 8 options)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment or foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
  • Place the oats and nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted.
  • While the oats are toasting, add the honey, butter, and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Let the mixture bubble, while stirring, for 1 minute and then remove from the heat.
  • Place the nuts and oats in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the vanilla and salt to the butter mixture. Pour this mixture over the oat and nut mixture and stir to combine. Add any extra ingredients (except for chocolate) and stir to combine. Make sure none of the oats are dry.
  • If you are adding chocolate, wait about 15 minutes for the mixture to cool a bit before adding the chocolate and then stirring to combine.
  • Place all of the oat mixture in the prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula or the bottom of a greased measuring cup to press the mixture into the pan. Press it in very firmly, this is what makes the bars stick together.
  • Chill the granola bars for at least 2 hours. Lift the bars from the pan using the edges of the foil or parchment and place them on a cutting board. Cut into desired shape/sizes and serve.
  • Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 10 days. If you are stacking the granola bars place a piece of parchment between the layers to help prevent sticking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 230 calories, Sugar 7.9 g, Sodium 38.4 mg, Fat 11.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 26.5 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 7.1 g, Cholesterol 7.6 mg

GRANOLA BARS



Granola Bars image

Quick, easy granola bars.

Provided by Naomi Ansano

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Snacks     Kids     Healthy

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups rolled oats
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup honey
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch square baking dish.
  • Spread the oats and coconut evenly across a baking sheet.
  • Toast oats and coconut in preheated oven until browned, about 10 minutes; transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Mix honey, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until smooth. Pour the honey mixture over the oats and coconut; stir to coat. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake in preheated oven until beginning to dry, about 15 minutes for crunchy granola bars, less if you like them chewy. Cool completely before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.7 calories, Carbohydrate 34.4 g, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 70.3 mg, Sugar 19.7 g

HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS



Homemade Granola Bars image

Make Homemade Granola Bars with this easy Ina Garten recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network, perfect for breakfast or for a quick, high-energy snack.

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 4h5m

Yield 12 to 16 bars

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
  • Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
  • Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

GRANOLA BARS



Granola Bars image

Provided by Alton Brown

Time 1h

Yield 16 (2-inch) squares

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups
1 1/2 ounces raw sunflower seeds, approximately 1/2 cup
3 ounces sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup
1 1/2 ounces wheat germ, approximately 1/2 cup
6 ounces honey, approximately 1/2 cup
1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup packed
1-ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit, any combination of apricots, cherries or blueberries

Steps:

  • Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.
  • Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

NO BAKE GRANOLA BARS



No Bake Granola Bars image

Great quick and easy granola bar recipe that kids can make. Perfect to throw in lunches or in your purse for travel. You can also add 1/4 cup wheat germ without changing the consistency. Change up the dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate for different flavors. I generally keep the bars in the refrigerator until I am ready to eat them, but these keep well to take to work or school.

Provided by Jessica Clara Noelle Grant

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Snacks     Granola Bar Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups rolled oats
1 ¼ cups chunky natural peanut butter
1 cup ground flaxseed
¾ cup honey
¾ cup dried cranberries
½ cup chocolate chips
¼ cup sliced almonds

Steps:

  • Stir oats, peanut butter, flaxseed, honey, cranberries, chocolate chips, and almonds together in a bowl; press into a 9x11-inch baking dish, using the back of a spatula to press into a flat layer.
  • Refrigerate mixture at least 1 hour.
  • Cut into 12 bars and wrap each individually in plastic wrap for storage.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 405.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.3 g, Fat 21.7 g, Fiber 6.7 g, Protein 10.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 108.8 mg, Sugar 28.2 g

PERFECT NO-BAKE GRANOLA BARS



Perfect No-Bake Granola Bars image

Perfect combination of ingredients: puffed rice, oats, and nut butters.

Provided by Sharon Angel

Time 1h25m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 cup rolled oats
½ cup flax seeds
½ cup roasted almonds
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
2 cups puffed rice
½ cup dry milk powder
½ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup protein powder
⅓ cup sesame seeds
¼ cup chia seeds
¼ cup shredded coconut
½ cup almond butter
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup honey
⅓ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup oat bran

Steps:

  • Cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Pulse oats in a food processor just until slightly ground. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with flax seeds, then almonds, and finally pumpkin seeds, pulsing just one ingredient at a time.
  • Add puffed rice, milk powder, cranberries, protein powder, sesame seeds, chia seeds, and shredded coconut to the bowl; mix to combine.
  • Mix almond butter, peanut butter, honey, coconut milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla together in a quart-sized bowl until well combined. Pour wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until well blended. Spread thinly onto the prepared cookie sheet.
  • Place in the freezer until solid, about 1 hour.
  • Remove from the freezer, dust with oat bran, and cut into 24 bars. Store in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 229.1 calories, Carbohydrate 20.1 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg, Fat 13.7 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 10.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 86.9 mg, Sugar 10 g

Tips for Making Granola Bars:

  • Use a variety of oats. Old-fashioned oats, quick oats, and steel-cut oats can all be used in granola bars. Using a variety of oats will give your bars a more complex flavor and texture.
  • Add some nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds add crunch, flavor, and healthy fats to granola bars. Some popular choices include almonds, walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
  • Use a variety of dried fruits. Dried fruits add sweetness, flavor, and nutrients to granola bars. Some popular choices include raisins, cranberries, apricots, and blueberries.
  • Use a variety of spices. Spices can add a lot of flavor to granola bars. Some popular choices include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom.
  • Don't over-bake the granola bars. Over-baked granola bars will be dry and crumbly. Bake them just until they are golden brown and set.

Conclusion:

Granola bars are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little creativity, you can create granola bars that are both healthy and delicious.

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