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These easy and healthy granola bars are thick and chewy and need three ingredients. They are such a savior when it comes to healthy and wholesome snacking.
Granola bars have been in my eating repertoire since I was a little kid and have been a staple until adulthood. These days, though, I’ve swapped the store-bought granola bars for homemade ones.
They need just three basic ingredients and less than five minutes to whip up, and they use wholesome and good quality ingredients.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Way cheaper than any grocery store. My biggest pet peeve is spending a fortune on snacks (convenient, though). 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 countless ways to customize the bars, so you never have to make them the same way twice. I’ve included six epic flavors I adore!
- Perfect any time of day. These bars are made with wholesome ingredients so that you can have them for breakfast, as a snack, a post-workout treat, or even dessert.
- Super healthy. These bars pack in 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Plus, they’re naturally vegan and also low in calories.
If you want more healthy snacks, try my protein balls, no bake oatmeal bars, cereal bars, and peanut butter oatmeal balls next.
★★★★★ 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
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’s super mild-tasting and 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 equal no more than ¼ cup total.
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 mixing it easier.
- Adjust the consistency. Sometimes, when I’ve made this recipe, the bars just don’t develop the consistency I want. If they’re too sticky, add a tablespoon of oat or almond flour. 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. 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, 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 in the refrigerator for up to two 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 two times 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.
More kid-friendly snacks
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
- 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. 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.
- Superfood. Fold in chia seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chunks.
- Apple pecan. Fold in dried apple chips and chopped pecans.
Nutrition
Originally published September 2020, updated and republished March 2025
What if I put Cornflakes instead of rolled oats?
I think for this recipe I will use peanut butter. What do you think?
That is fine 🙂
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!