Good for You Granola Bars
Packed with wholesome ingredients and a perfect balance of crunch and chew, these "Good for You Granola Bars" are a satisfying and healthy snack you’ll love to grab on the go. Made with nutrient-dense rolled oats, almonds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds, these bars are naturally sweetened with honey and flavored with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla for a cozy, indulgent touch. A quick bake in the oven brings all the flavors together, while dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries add a delightful pop of sweetness. These homemade granola bars are easy to prepare in just 35 minutes and can be stored for weeks, making them the perfect option for meal prep or a guilt-free treat to curb your cravings. Great for breakfast, post-workout fuel, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these bars are a deliciously healthy solution to your snacking needs.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped almonds
- 0.5 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup natural peanut butter
- 0.5 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 cup dark chocolate chips
- 0.25 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring there is enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out later.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter and honey. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the warm peanut butter and honey mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are coated and stick together.
Fold in the dark chocolate chips and dried cranberries, making sure they're evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it firmly into an even layer using the back of a spatula or your hands (use parchment paper to prevent sticking).
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the granola bars cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial to ensure the bars hold together.
Once cooled, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place on a cutting board and slice into 12 equal bars.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3877 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 239.9 g | 308% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.5 g | 188% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 19.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1128 mg | 49% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 359.3 g | 131% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 67.8 g | 242% | |
| Total Sugars | 165.8 g | ||
| Protein | 133.5 g | 267% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 880 mg | 68% | |
| Iron | 30.8 mg | 171% | |
| Potassium | 4089 mg | 87% | |
*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.
