The Best Granola Bar
Discover why this simple yet irresistible recipe truly earns the title of *The Best Granola Bar*. Packed with wholesome ingredients like toasted rolled oats, crunchy almonds, and walnuts, these bars are sweetened naturally with honey and feature delightful bursts of flavor from dried cranberries and apricots. A hint of vanilla and buttery richness brings everything together, while optional mini chocolate chips add a touch of indulgence. Perfect as a make-ahead snack or breakfast on the go, these homemade granola bars are baked to perfection with golden edges and a chewy texture. Easy to prepare in just 35 minutes, they’re a healthier, customizable alternative to store-bought options and can be enjoyed fresh or stored for later. Whether you’re meal-prepping or satisfying a mid-day craving, this granola bar recipe is sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped almonds
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup dried apricots (chopped)
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 0.25 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang for easy removal later.
Spread the rolled oats, almonds, and walnuts evenly on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through for even toasting. Remove and let cool slightly.
In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted oats and nuts, dried cranberries, and dried apricots. Pour the warm honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until everything is well-coated.
If using mini chocolate chips, let the mixture cool slightly before gently folding them in to avoid melting.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon to ensure the bars will hold together when cut.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely in the pan (about 1–2 hours). This step is crucial for the bars to set properly.
Once cooled, lift the granola out using the parchment paper overhang and place it on a cutting board. Cut into 12 bars using a sharp knife.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3681 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 220.7 g | 283% | |
| Saturated Fat | 46.6 g | 233% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 132 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 926 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 387.8 g | 141% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 55.4 g | 198% | |
| Total Sugars | 220.9 g | ||
| Protein | 92.6 g | 185% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 727 mg | 56% | |
| Iron | 22.3 mg | 124% | |
| Potassium | 3766 mg | 80% | |
*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.
