Chewy Granola Bars
These homemade chewy granola bars are super tasty, extremely quick and easy, and they cost about 3 times less than buying them from a store!
These quick little granola bars are tasty.
Really tasty.
And who doesn’t love making a knock-off of something usually wrapped in plastic, stored in a box, and costing at least 3X as much as a homemade version (which is not a scientific price analysis, just a descriptive analogy)? Raise your hand(s)?
I’ve tried several homemade chewy granola bar-type recipes over the last few months. They’ve been good. Really.
But these are the best of the bunch. Sure, the mini chocolate chips on top don’t hurt matters any, but the granola bars themselves are delicious, too.
Read through the recipe and additional notes completely – toasting the oats is optional but divine and pressing the mixture firmly ensures the granola bars don’t fall apart and become crumbly instead of chewy. Crumbly = bad. Chewy = good. Enjoy!
One Year Ago: Coconut Shrimp Curry
Two Years Ago: Vanilla Buttermilk Cupcakes and Fantastic {Easy} Buttercream Frosting
Three Years Ago: Fluffy Couscous
Four Years Ago: Quick and Delicious Clam Chowder
Chewy Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (57 g) butter
- ¼ cup (85 g) honey
- ¼ cup (53 g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups (200 g) quick cooking oats
- 1 cup rice krispies cereal
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (43 g) mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Lightly coat a 9X11-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside. If you don’t have a pan that size, use a similar sized pan, like a 8X12-inch. This recipe is a bit small for a 9X13-inch pan but if that’s all you have, just pack the granola bar mixture into a smaller portion of the pan – the mixture doesn’t spread so that should work fine.
- In a large bowl, stir together the oats and rice krispies. Set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, honey and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes together, stirring frequently. Cook at a simmer (so the mixture is lightly bubbling) for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture over the oats/rice krispies and mix with a wooden spoon until evenly moistened. Press the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing down very firmly. If the mixture isn’t pressed down well enough, the bars will be crumbly once they cool. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips on top. Press lightly if you want them to stick to the bars. Mine tended to fall off, which was just fine since there were a lot of little fingers ready to eagerly pick them up and eat them anyway.
- Let the bars cool for at least 2 hours at room temperature. Cut into rectangles. Store well covered at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: adapted slightly from Lauren’s Latest via Rachael Ray
These are definitely good, but I wish the honey flavor was more subtle. It came though pretty stong for me using run-of-the-mill clover honey. Still, the kids gobbled them up and I’ll definitely make them again. I’d love to try some of the additions that people have suggested.
We have made a double batch of these 4 times already. Love them. It seems to work great for me to make the single batch in an 8×8 and a double in a 9×13. The recipe is great as is, or to pump up the nutrition for more of a pre/post work out snack I added, to the doubled batch, 1 cup peanut butter and 12 Tb. flax seed (ground in my vitamix). So delicious as well. For the kiddos, the original recipe seems better since the addition of peanut butter and flax seed makes the bars about 300 calories each ( a 9×13 pan cut into 18 bars). Maybe I should just cut them smaller 🙂 Either way, I will not ever buy granola bars again!
Yay, my son has a severe peanut allergy – and we stay away from tree nuts as a precaution…so granola bars have been off limits for the most part. I searched for recipes and almost everything uses Peanut Butter, I will be making these!
These are definitely the easiest bars I’ve ever made. I read another commenter’s decision to up the sticky mixture because of altitude, so I too added about an extra tablespoon of each honey, sugar, and butter. They are pretty dang sweet, maybe too sweet with the extra tablespoon, very much like a certain popular store-bought bar. I haven’t decided whether I like them better than Smitten’s bars (did you try those in your quest, too?), because for a family without picky children (yet), I like the substance and variety of hers.
These were delicious! Made a few changes though. I’m trying to stay away from dairy products, so instead of the butter, I used coconut oil. VERY, VERY GOOD alternative and so much better for you!! I was hungry for more coconut, so I added 1 cup of flaked coconut and reduced the oatmeal to 1 cup. Then added 1/2 cup of toasted sliced almonds. It would have been super good with the chocolate chips (like an almond joy candy bar) but I didn’t have any. I took Jennifer’s tip and used wax paper to press the mixture down really hard. Mine didn’t crumble or fall apart at all. This is definitely a keeper. Next time I’ll make a peanut butter variation.
BTW… Mel, Sara P. said to say hi. My husband is one of her patients.
Can’t. Stop. Eating. These. My hubby wanted them a bit more chewy (we live at 4500 ft. so sometimes the altitude does weird things) so I upped the measurements to 1/3 cup of butter, honey and brown sugar. My oldest doesn’t like chocolate (I know, right?!) so I added some cinnamon and raisins. So much better than store bought! Amazing!
So yummy! Made it for an after school snack one day and we all (my husband included, he thinks he probably ate half the pan) devoured the whole pan. Thanks for the recipe. I think these are going to have to be made at least once a week for our snack.
replaced some of the oats with toasted coconut and it is yummy!!! i am still waiting for them to cool, but I ate some of the crumbles already. I am curious if others had luck with coconut oil instead of butter.
A double batch in a 9×13 pan appears to be just rigt!
I tried these last night because I have been searching for some time for a perfect granola bar recipe. I only had rolled oats, so I gave them a whirl in my food processor as you suggested. I pressed pretty firmly… and then stuck in them in the fridge overnight. This morning, I was so disappointed to find that they completely fall apart after about 5 minutes out of the fridge. They’re delicious and chewy, but definitely not a finger food! Any suggestions? Think I should have “pulverized” my oats a little more? I’ve also considered that perhaps I didn’t cook the honey mixture quite long enough. Honestly, I didn’t time the 2 minutes. I just cooked it while I processed the oats. I read through all the comments hoping someone else had addressed the same problem, but most people had success. Oh well… try, try again!
Kenzie – I would recommend making the recipe how it is written to see if that helps. It’s hard for me to know if it was your oats or the honey mixture that might have made them fall apart. Even processing them too much in the food processor could make the mixture a bit off – they should look like quick oats after processing. Good luck if you try them again! Hopefully timing the honey mixture and using quick oats (or processing them a bit more, maybe) will help.
I made these again today- they are the perfect take-along snack item.
I increased everything a little, and it fit nicely into a 9 x 13. I cut them into bars and put each one in a snack size ziploc. Now treats are ready for the whole week.
These were great! I, too, had trouble with the granola falling apart even though I packed it as tight as I could. Maybe doubling the recipe and then putting in the fridge to cool will help. Next batch will add some peanut butter and I bought the mini Reeses Pieces to use instead of the chocolate chips, as a special treat for the kiddos.
I put half of the mixture in the pan and then sprinkled the chocolate chips on top. I then added the rest of the mixture on top of the chocolate chips and smooshed it down. You get chocolate in every bite and don’t have to worry about them falling off.
Made these today – totally smitten! Officially pinned. 🙂 Thanks, Mel!
Okay, I have to comment one more time on these. We LOVE these bars. Last batch I used 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter and they are loved. My first batch was crumbly although I pressed really well. My last couple batches turned out great because I pressed with waxed paper this time and stuck right in fridge for a couple of hours. I then cut in rectangles and put in bag and back in fridge. These are another great recipe. Thanks again Mel. My 10 year old daughter says you saved our lives 🙂
Mel, I made these Saturday and again tonight because they are so good. I wouldn’t change a thing. Also for dinner tonight we had the spring rolls off your website as well. I make recipes from you at least 2-3 times a week if not more. Thank you for saving me in the dinner department! Oh and one more thing I have made most of the rolls/ breads you have posted and I always get rave reviews and multiple requests for recipes all the time. I always refer them to your website!! Thank you!!
These are so good! I thought that they would be good, but they are reeeeaaallly good. I made them two days in a row. On the second day my son watched me make them because he wanted to know exactly how they were made. Thanks for the recipe.
Made these today and they were delicious!! My daughter snarfed them up. I think next time I am going to add some coconut and try the coconut oil as well. Oh and FYI, without the Chocolate chips, these are just over 100 calories a bar… and just over 130 with! Not bad if you ask me! (when cut into 10 portions)
Jill – I have a big jar of coconut oil sitting on my shelves but have yet to use it. However, I know it is really popular right now and I think it would definitely be worth subbing in these. In fact, I think I’m going to try it, too, and add peanut butter like so many others have.
You know those moments when you’re too preoccupied and you end up doing dumb things like dumping noodles into the sink where you could have sworn you just put the strainer? No? Just me? Well… I ran out and bought Rice Krispies specifically to make this recipe. Then, I forgot to put them in the mix. Duh. It was straight oats and sugar mix, and I thought, “Good golly, these things are super chewy/sticky. Mel’s losing her mind to post these.” When I realized my blunder, I made a new batch and they were fabulous. Lots of possibilities for mix-ins here. Thanks for another simple, yet amazing recipe. I’m sorry I doubted you for two seconds.
Yummy! I followed your recipe exactly and thought they were perfect. Anxious to add peanut butter next time. I’ve been reading a lot about using coconut oil in place of butter and am wondering if you’ve tried it or have any opinions on whether or not it would work??
Yup you’ve done it again! These are amazing! I left the chocolate chips out and they still were amazing! I don’t know what I’ll do when you decide to give this blog up!!!
These are all sorts of awesome! I made some on Saturday night and now they’re all gone! Even my super fussy 6 year old liked them. I added my chic chips before putting it in the pan and they totally melted but tasted awesome! Hubby has already requested more (I busted him scarfing them from the pan) am going to add some apricot and coconut.
Thanks for a brilliant recipe.
These are super duper easy and my kids love them. I had a little trouble with them falling apart and I think it wasn’t thick enough in some areas. I’m going to try it with peanut butter next time to add more protein. Great recipe again Mel. Thanks.
Julie – I’ve only ever made them with honey so I can’t give you a guaranteed substitute. You’d probably have to play around with other ingredients (maple syrup? or something like that).
Hi Mel –
I made these tonight and they didn’t seem to hold together too well. even though I pressed really tight. I may increase the “wet” part next time, to see if that helps. I am going to salvage the crumbs by using them as granola; they taste amazing. I’m still going to give these another try.
What would be a good Honey substitute?
I LOVE that there is no peanut butter in the recipe. My son is allergic to Peanuts, so all commercial granola bars are out of the question. Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to try it!
BEST EVER!! Threw in freezer for next weeks school snacks last night and kids already have begged them back out again- they defrosted and held shape perfectly!!! THANK YOU!!!! (pressed chocolate chips down as you said and they stuck perfectly, also used brown rice krispies and also worked fab!)
I’d already tried this from Lauren’s Latest (via pinterest) … and after experimenting with half a dozen batches I concluded with the same adaptions you did. Wow! Could I really be on my way to mastering the kitchen? You’ve taught me well! Thanks.
I have a few different chewy granola bar recipes that I absolutely love and make often. One is a granola ‘cupcake’ that I press into muffin tins to shape. So much fun and way tastier than the boxed version!
Thanks for another great recipe They are easy, fast and taste great! I put some chopped peanuts in with the oats and they were really good. My only complaint is that it made such a small batch!! Next time I will surely double it
I LOVE granola bars! 🙂 Can’t wait to try these out! 🙂
Can’t wait to try these! I’ve tried a few other recipes and none of them have been great, but I know this one will be because you never disappoint me!
I love it when I am craving something, today it was oatmeal, then I hop in your site and you have the right thing for me. I added ground flaxseed and wheat germ and a heaping spoon of crunchy peanut butter, oh and subbed brown rice crispies. So I guess not your recipe exactly but the base sugar mix and oat ratio is perfect. I also did grind rolled oats in the bullet and that worked great! Thanks for all the tips they are so yummy. Also I chopped regular chocolate chips and pressed them in the warm bars, it worked great. Haha I love your site and recipes, seriously everything I have made from you has been wonderful, keep up the good work I am sure it is a though gig but I appreciate your site.
If I only have rolled oats (I get it in 50#bags) would I need to pulse them before I toast them? Or could I just toast them whole? :o)
Vanessa – I’d toast and then pulse.
Yay! I have experimented with a lot of granola bar recipes too. Really excited to try these! The ingredient list is short and rice krispies are going to give them a lighter crunch.:)
YUM!! I can’t wait to make these! My little man’s favorite kind of store-bought granola bars are the chewy peanut butter chocolate chip ones, so I was curious if you had tried these with peanut butter in them as well, and if so how much peanut butter did you add? thanks Mel!
Melanie C. – I haven’t tried adding peanut butter but already several people have commented with their experience. Sounds like a good idea!
My sous chef (3 yr old son) and I just whipped up a couple batches of these! The first we did as the recipe states except for mixing in regular chocolate chips right before putting them in the pan, they melted slightly but my 3 and 6 yr old won’t care! 🙂 The second batch we did one and a half of the recipe with no chocolate chips and added approximately 3/4 c peanut butter and it for perfectly in a 9X13 pan! Thanks for a great recipe to satistfy my always hungry 6 year old!!
I can’t wait to make these! Just wondering if they could go in the fridge or freezer for longer keeping and for how long. Thanks!
Jen – I’m sure you could freeze them (I’m not sure if they would be a bit more crumbly after defrosting – but it’s worth a try). I wouldn’t keep them loner than a month in the freezer, personally.
These look great. I am going to try them this weekend. I love that Kellogg’s now makes a Brown Rice Crispy. They will be perfect for this recipe.
This is GREAT! I’ve been looking for a good gluten-free granola bar recipe that is GOOD and I KNOW anything I find and try on your site will DEFINITELY be good. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Okay, Peter, read this posting and make these for me. Don’t forget to use the mini chocolate chips we have in the fridge.
I’m not seeing a “pin” button for this recipe. Am I missing it?
Hi Angie – the “pin it” button is below the recipe – in the same footer area as “save recipe” “stumble it” and “facebook”.”
Had to make this recipe when I saw it this morning! So glad I did! These are soooo good. I added my chocolate chips into mixture right before placing it into my pan and I also stirred in a half cup of peanut butter. I will never buy store bought granola bars again! You have no idea how much your time and hard work in putting together this awesome site has helped our household! I never had the desire to cook before a friend told me about your site. It’s all I cook from now and my husband is a very happy man! I wake up every morning excited to check out the latest recipe and now buy cookware instead of shoes all the time!! Haha!
My husband loves the popular store bought chewy granola bar, and I have been on the hunt for a recipe to make homemade (and without all of that artificial stuff). It looks like I just found it! Thanks, Mel!
Oh, thank you! I’ve pinned several granola bar recipes, but its always nice to know which is the best! Would you just publish a cookbook already?! Your food is so fab!
yum, these look perfect! I am always up for trying new granola bars – my husband takes them in his lunch every day.
These look really good. I might have to try them with a little peanut butter too. 🙂
Hi Mel
I am very happy to see this recipe. I was looking for things like this because one of my goals this year is to pack better take-along lunches to keep hubby away from the vending machines. I’ve already saved alot of money by making home lunches and not going to the hospital cafeteria at work. Thanks for all your great recipes and ideas.
Did you ever do an article on more brown-bag lunch ideas? I’d be interested in that.
By the way, I made the spinach artichoke dip New Year’s eve and nothing but raves
over this dip. Grown people were spooning it up and fighting over it.
We make these all the time and my kiddos love them. Commercial granola bars have a lot of weird ingredients, so I feel like a great mom when I make them. 🙂