Fantastic Granola Bars
Crunchy, chewy, and irresistibly delicious, these Fantastic Granola Bars are a homemade snack you'll want to make on repeat! Packed with wholesome ingredients like toasted rolled oats, chopped almonds, and dried cranberries, they’re naturally sweetened with honey and brown sugar for the perfect balance of flavor. A touch of cinnamon and vanilla extract adds warmth and depth, while creamy peanut butter binds everything together. Finished with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips for a touch of indulgence, these no-fuss granola bars are easy to make in under 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, on-the-go snack, or lunchbox treat, these energy-packed, customizable bars are a surefire crowd-pleaser. Store them for up to two weeks to enjoy long-lasting freshness!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup almonds (chopped)
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.5 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.25 cup mini chocolate chips
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving excess paper hanging over for easy removal.
Spread the rolled oats and chopped almonds evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even toasting. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, peanut butter, and brown sugar. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted oats, almonds, dried cranberries, and the warm peanut butter mixture. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes, then gently fold in the mini chocolate chips. (Cooling prevents the chocolate chips from melting completely.)
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan, pressing it down firmly and evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure the mixture is tightly packed to ensure the bars hold their shape.
Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture is firm and set.
Once chilled, lift the granola slab out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a cutting board and slice it into 12 bars.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2816 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 132.1 g | 169% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.6 g | 103% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1153 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 360.4 g | 131% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 45.6 g | 163% | |
| Total Sugars | 206.9 g | ||
| Protein | 83.0 g | 166% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 534 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 15.8 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 2397 mg | 51% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
