Fruit Filled Granola Bars
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch with these homemade Fruit Filled Granola Bars! Packed with wholesome rolled oats, crunchy almonds, and a vibrant medley of dried cranberries and apricots, these bars are naturally sweetened with honey and just a hint of brown sugar. The rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter (or almond butter) ties everything together, while a touch of vanilla and optional cinnamon elevate the taste to new heights. Baked to golden perfection in just 20 minutes, these chewy, nutrient-packed bars make an ideal on-the-go breakfast, midday snack, or lunchbox treat. With easy preparation and customizable ingredients, these granola bars are the ultimate make-ahead snack to fuel your busy days!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 0.5 cup almonds (chopped)
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup dried apricots (chopped)
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.25 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 0.25 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped almonds, dried cranberries, and dried apricots. Stir until evenly mixed. If using cinnamon, stir it in now.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, brown sugar, and unsalted butter. Heat and stir until the mixture is smooth and starts to bubble lightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture down firmly and evenly. This helps the granola bars hold together after baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then, transfer the pan to a refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour to set.
Once chilled, lift the granola block out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a cutting board and slice into 12 bars using a sharp knife.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2578 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 93.2 g | 119% | |
| Saturated Fat | 23.6 g | 118% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 912 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 407.1 g | 148% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.8 g | 146% | |
| Total Sugars | 263.6 g | ||
| Protein | 58.5 g | 117% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 399 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 14.1 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 2557 mg | 54% | |
*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.
