Thick and Chewy Granola Bars
Get ready to elevate your snack game with these irresistibly **Thick and Chewy Granola Bars**, a homemade treat that's perfect for busy mornings, hiking adventures, or midday cravings. Made with wholesome **old-fashioned rolled oats** and **sliced almonds**, these bars are lightly toasted for a nutty crunch, then bound together with a luscious mixture of **honey**, **brown sugar**, and **butter** for a rich, caramelized flavor. A hint of **cinnamon** and a touch of **vanilla** add warm, comforting notes, while **mini chocolate chips** and your choice of **dried cranberries or raisins** bring bursts of sweetness in every bite. Compacting the mixture firmly ensures a satisfyingly chewy texture, while a quick bake sets the perfect balance of soft and sturdy. Whether you enjoy them on the go or as an afternoon pick-me-up, these granola bars are a delightful blend of textures and flavors that's both easy to make and packed with homemade charm. Keywords: "chewy granola bar recipe," "homemade snack ideas," "easy granola bars."
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup mini chocolate chips
- 0.33 cup dried cranberries or raisins
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
Spread the oats and sliced almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast them in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from the oven and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, brown sugar, and unsalted butter. Stir constantly until the mixture begins to bubble. Allow it to simmer gently for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Stir in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt into the saucepan mixture. Pour this over the toasted oats and almonds in the mixing bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to mix everything together until evenly coated.
Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes, then fold in the mini chocolate chips and dried cranberries or raisins. Stir quickly to prevent the chocolate chips from fully melting.
Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Press the mixture down firmly using a spatula or your hands (you can use a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking) to compact it as tightly as possible.
Bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes at 350°F (175°C), just until the edges start to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the block of granola out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and cut it into 12 bars using a sharp knife.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temperature, or freeze them for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2760 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 121.9 g | 156% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.6 g | 143% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 613 mg | 27% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 396.3 g | 144% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 48.2 g | 172% | |
| Total Sugars | 204.7 g | ||
| Protein | 60.8 g | 122% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 618 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 17.0 mg | 94% | |
| Potassium | 2100 mg | 45% | |
*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.
