Healthy Granola Bars

This healthy granola bars recipe makes for chewy, sweet, and satisfying bars, perfect for your snacking needs. Made with 3 key ingredients and endless ways to customize, you’ll NEVER get store-bought bars again!

It’s no secret we’re big snackers in my house, which is why I always keep us stocked on protein balls, no bake oatmeal bars, and granola bars. 

Of course, one of the perks of making snacks at home is that it’s way easier to make them with good-quality, wholesome ingredients. These healthy homemade granola bars are made with 3 nourishing base ingredients, which you may already have on hand!

Table of Contents

1. Why I love this recipe
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make healthy granola bars
4. Recipe tips 
5. Flavor variations
6. How to store leftovers
7. More healthy snack recipes to try
8. Healthy Granola Bars (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

• Way cheaper than storebought. My biggest pet peeve is spending a fortune on snacks that take seconds to eat! 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. Like protein granola bars or cereal bars, these bars are made with wholesome ingredients, so you can have them for breakfast, as a snack, a post-workout treat, or even dessert. 
• Super healthy. These bars are loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Plus, they’re naturally vegan and can easily be made gluten-free.

Ingredients needed

As I mentioned, the ingredient list for these chewy granola bars is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 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, plan on adding extra oats, as honey is twice as thick as maple syrup.
• Almond butter. I always prefer almond butter for its nutritional density and how it compliments maple syrup, but you can use any nut butter you choose. 
• Rolled oats. Also known as “old-fashioned oats.” I strongly recommend these over instant oats, as they have a more mealy texture and don’t hold their shape well. Use gluten-free oats to make gluten-free granola bars if needed. 
• Mix-ins. I used chocolate chips, but you can use chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or really anything you want. Just make sure they equal to 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. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan or a granola bar pan with parchment paper and set aside. 

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 into the pan. Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour, then slice. 

Recipe tips 

• Add protein. When I want more filling bars, I’ll add 1-2 scoops of vanilla protein powder or mak 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).
• 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 easier. 
• Adjust the consistency. Sometimes, when I’ve made this recipe, the bars just don’t develop the consistency I’m looking for. If they’re too sticky, try adding a tablespoon of oat flour or almond flour. If they’re too dry, add a few tablespoons of warm water or dairy-free milk. 

Flavor variations

As mentioned earlier, I’ve got 6 epic flavors for you to try!

• Monster cookie granola bars. Fold through candy buttons, like M&Ms or Skittles.
• Chocolate peanut butter granola bars. Use creamy peanut butter and fold in mini chocolate chips, or melt and drizzle them on top. 
• Oatmeal raisin granola bars. Add a dash of cinnamon and fold in raisins. 
• Superfood granola bars. Fold in chia seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chunks. 
• Apple pecan granola bars. Fold in dried apple chips and chopped pecans. 
• Dark chocolate coconut granola bars. Reduce the almond butter by 2 tablespoons in place of melted coconut oil and fold in dark chocolate chunks and shredded coconut. 

How to store leftovers

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.

More healthy snack recipes to try

• Roasted chickpeas– Made in minutes, these chickpeas are super crunchy, oil-free, and come with 7 different flavor combinations. 
• Snickers protein bar– Everyone’s favorite candy bar, made healthy AND with 15 grams of protein!
• No bake brownie bites– Chewy, chocolatey bars that taste just like brownie batter.
• Air fryer popcorn– One of my lowkey favorite air fryer recipes.

Originally published September 2020, updated and republished February 2024