Healthy Granola Bars
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These easy, healthy granola bars are thick and chewy and require only three ingredients. They are a savior when it comes to healthy, wholesome snacking.
Granola bars have been a staple since I was a kid. These days, though, I’ve swapped the store-bought granola bars for homemade ones.
When testing this recipe, I wanted to keep the ingredient list short, wholesome, and easy to find. Many homemade recipes call for sugar AND syrup, but I found that using either maple syrup or honey added ample sweetness, while binding the bars easily.
My healthy granola bars need just three basic ingredients and less than five minutes to whip up. I purposely keep the base recipe simple, so the mix-ins do the talking. I like chocolate chips or nuts, and my partner loves M&M’s (which somehow defeats the health benefits).
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Way cheaper than any grocery store. My biggest pet peeve is spending a fortune on snacks. These bars are made with affordable, shelf-stable ingredients, so each bar costs just pennies to make.
- Customizable. I give you a base recipe plus six flavor variations I’ve personally tested. My partner’s favorite is the chocolate peanut butter version.
- Perfect any time of day. I like to have one before the gym, or with a coffee in the afternoon- they hold up really well.
- Nutritious. These bars pack in 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Plus, they’re naturally vegan and also low in calories.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“My kids adore these granola bars! I love how I can easily adapt them to be nut-free, peanut free, or even completely sugar free.” – Eileen (email subscriber)
Key Ingredients
- Rolled oats. Also known as “old-fashioned oats.” I strongly recommend these over instant oats, as they will yield chewy granola bars. Use certified gluten-free oats to make gluten-free granola bars if needed.
- Maple syrup. My natural sweetener of choice when it comes to no-bake treats. You can also use agave, brown rice syrup, or honey. If you use honey, add extra oats, as honey is twice as thick as maple syrup.
- Almond butter. I always prefer almond butter as it has a mild, neutral flavor that doesn’t overpower the oats. It also adds healthy fats and richness. Any nut butter, like peanut butter and cashew butter, will also work.
- Mix-ins. I like to use dark chocolate chips, but you can really use walnuts, dried fruits, pumpkin seeds, sea salt, flaxseeds, or anything else. Just make sure they add up to no more than ¼ cup total.
Flavor variations
Dark chocolate coconut. Reduce the almond butter by 2 tablespoons in place of melted coconut oil and fold in dark chocolate chunks, vanilla extract, and shredded coconut.
Monster cookie. My partner’s idea is now a permanent fixture. Fold through candy buttons, like M&Ms or Skittles.
Chocolate peanut butter. Use creamy peanut butter and fold in mini chocolate chips, or melt and drizzle them on top.
Oatmeal raisin. Add a dash of cinnamon and fold in raisins. These remind me of soft-baked oatmeal raisin bars.
Superfood. Fold in chia seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chunks.
Apple pecan. Fold in dried apple chips and chopped pecans.
How to make healthy granola bars
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep the ingredients and line a square baking dish or baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup and almond butter. Add oats and stir until a thick batter remains.
Step 3- Add mix-ins. Fold in your mix-ins of choice.
Step 4- Shape the bars. Pour the granola bar mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly. Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour, then slice.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Melt the almond butter. If the almond butter isn’t drippy enough, microwave it with the maple syrup for 10-15 seconds to make it easier to mix. If it’s too stiff, you’ll find it hard to form into a mixture that can be shaped into bars.
- Adjust the consistency. The consistency can vary depending on the brand of almond butter and oats. If they’re too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of oats. Add a few tablespoons of warm water or dairy-free milk if they’re too dry.
- Add protein. When I want more filling bars, I’ll add 1-2 scoops of vanilla protein powder or make my homemade protein bars or protein granola bars. If you add protein powder, you may need to add a few extra tablespoons of maple syrup to make the bar batter.
- Make them nut-free. If I’m making these bars for someone with a nut allergy (my nephew), I’ll use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead (or make nut-free granola bars).
Storage instructions
To store: If you prefer your bars softer, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you prefer chewier bars, keep them refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: Wrap leftover bars in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container to freeze for up to 3 months. Let the bars thaw overnight in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. I compared the top five-selling granola bars at the grocery store, and all of them had at least twice as much sugar in their ingredients; most had three. Not only that, but none of them had fewer than fifteen ingredients. This is why I advocate on making your own.
While rolled oats will give these granola bars the best texture, I’ve tested them with similar results with buckwheat flakes and quinoa flakes.
I don’t recommend baking these granola bars, as they don’t have enough liquid in them to remain soft and chewy. Without it, they will bake up dry and crumbly. If you want something similar, try my oatmeal chocolate chip bars or oatmeal breakfast bars.
Healthy Granola Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup almond butter can use any smooth nut or seed butter
- 3 cups rolled oats gluten free, if needed
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your maple syrup and almond butter. Whisk together, until combined. Add your oats and stir through, until a thick batter remains. Fold through your mix-ins of choice.
- Transfer your granola bar batter into the lined pan and press down firmly into it. Refrigerate for at least an hour, to firm up. Slice into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
More healthy snacks
- Protein balls– Just four ingredients and multiple flavor options.
- No bake oatmeal bars– These are similar, but a little more chewy.
- Cereal bars– I developed these after seeing the laundry list of ingredients on store-bought cereal bars.
- Peanut butter oatmeal balls– These no bake bites taste like a soft-baked peanut butter cookie.
Originally published September 2020
What if I put Cornflakes instead of rolled oats?
Hi Mario- they wouldn’t be an equal swap. You can crush 1/4 cup of them and add it to the bars if you like, though. Or make my cornflake bars instead 🙂
I make these almost every week! They are such a hit in my family!
Love that so much, Olesya- glad the whole family enjoy it!
I can’t seem to find the recipe for 4 ingredients granola bars. They used shopped almond and pecons, coconut, almond flour and maple syrup. Id love to try it. I’m sorry if it’s there and I just don’t see it.
Hi Linda- I think you mean my keto granola bars– Enjoy the recipe!
I think for this recipe I will use peanut butter. What do you think?
That is fine 🙂
Love this recipe. I make my own pumpkin seed butter and use that in place of the almond butter (allergies at school). I found it works even better, because of the stickier consistency. I make these weekly. Thank you for sharing.
YES! It does work so much better and much stickier. If you try baking with it, it does turn things a little green haha! Love to hear that you make them regularly 🙂
Wow will make bars instead of buying them!
I love your recipes
Thanks, Shelly!
Love these! Made a huge batch for the week with all different mix-ins. I used up bits of raisins, cranberries, nuts and seeds that I had in the pantry. Perfect and easy snack for the whole family!
Made the 3 ingredient granola bars .
Came out perfect
Great healthy snack!
This is a family go to! My kids love them! I always some mini M&M’s to them! Perfect healthy treat 🙂
The BEST healthy granola bars recipe ever!
if you only have “thick” almond butter (or any other nut butter) that isn’t drippy, you can microwave it till it’s drippy! (i microwaved it for a minute along with the honey i used)
healthy granola bars are delish! (maybe add a little vanilla and a bit of sea salt??) awesomeeee!
Can you use a different ‘sticky’ liquid? I do not like maple syrup
Yes, absolutely! I really like honey, but it is overpowering (you’ll know there’s honey in these). Brown rice syrup is a great option or even agave nectar 🙂