Homemade Granola Bars are the perfect blend of chewy, crunchy, and sweet, offering a wholesome snack you can feel good about. Packed with oats, nuts, and a touch of honey, each bite delivers a satisfying texture and rich, toasty flavor.
In just 25 minutes of prep and another 25 in the oven, you’ll have a batch ready to fuel your day or satisfy a midday craving.
These bars are endlessly customizable, letting you add your favorite dried fruits, chocolate chips, or seeds for a personal touch. Warm from the oven, they fill your kitchen with a comforting aroma that’s hard to resist.
Whether you’re packing them for a hike or enjoying them with your morning coffee, they’re a delicious way to treat yourself without the guilt.
What You’ll Need for Homemade Granola Bars
- ⅔ cup (5 oz/142 g) butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (5 oz/142 g) honey
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups (9 oz/255 g) rolled oats
- ½ cup (1½ oz/43 g) unsweetened coconut, shredded
- ½ cup (2½ oz/71 g) almonds, chopped
- ½ cup (2½ oz/71 g) raisins (or other dried fruit like cranberries or apricots)
- 1 cup (6 oz/170 g) bittersweet chocolate, melted (optional, for dipping and drizzling)
How to Make Homemade Granola Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter a 9 x 13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the butter, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Heat gently, stirring frequently, just until the sugar is dissolved. (Do not boil.)
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and fold in the rolled oats, shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and raisins (or other dried fruit). Use a spatula to mix until everything is evenly coated in the syrup.
- Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared baking pan. Spread it into an even layer, pressing down firmly with the spatula to pack it tightly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and toasted.
- Let the granola bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper to lift them out of the pan. Cut them in half lengthwise, then slice each half into 1½-inch (3¾ cm) wide bars. You should get 9 bars from each half.
- (Optional) Dip the bottom half of each bar in melted chocolate, then place it chocolate-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top for garnish. Let the chocolate set for 1 hour at room temperature (or refrigerate for 30 minutes to speed up the process).
- Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Creative Toppings and Dips
Take your granola bars to the next level by experimenting with toppings and dips! Instead of just drizzling chocolate, try adding a sprinkle of sea salt, crushed pistachios, or even a dusting of cocoa powder.
For a fun twist, dip the bars halfway into melted white chocolate or peanut butter for a creamy contrast. Pro tip: Let the chocolate set in the fridge for a quicker, mess-free finish.
Perfect Pairings for Serving
These granola bars are a versatile snack that pairs well with so many things! Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a mid-morning treat, or pack them alongside fresh fruit and yogurt for a balanced breakfast.
They’re also a great addition to lunchboxes or as a post-workout energy boost. For a special touch, serve them with a side of fresh berries or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Smart Storage and Freshness Tips
To keep your granola bars fresh and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If you’ve added chocolate, consider placing a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
For longer storage, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Quick tip: Thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes before enjoying.
Easy Recipe Variations to Try
Customize your granola bars to suit your taste! Swap out the almonds for pecans or walnuts, or use dried cranberries or apricots instead of raisins. For a nut-free version, replace the nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin. Feeling adventurous? Add a tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds for an extra nutritional boost. The possibilities are endless!
Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Bakers
Short on time? Prep your ingredients ahead of time by measuring out the oats, nuts, and dried fruit the night before. You can also double the batch and freeze half for later. Quick tip: Use a food processor to chop the nuts and mix the ingredients faster. This recipe is forgiving, so don’t stress over perfection—just enjoy the process!
Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup butter, room temperature
- ½ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
- ½ cup almonds, chopped
- ½ cup raisins (or other dried fruit)
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C), then butter and line a 9 x 13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with parchment. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the butter, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Heat gently, stirring frequently, just until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and fold in the oats, coconut, almonds and raisins (or other dried fruit). Using a spatula, continue to fold everything together until evenly coated in the syrup.
- Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared baking tray and spread into an even layer, pressing down with the spatula to pack everything together.
- Bake the granola bars for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and toasted on top.
- Let cool for 10 minutes, then, while still warm, use the parchment to help lift the bars out of the pan. Cut them in half lengthwise and then each half into 1 ½ inch (3 ¾ cm) wide bars. You will get 9 for each half. Allow to cool completely.
- If you wish you can dip the bottom half of each bar in melted chocolate, then place it, chocolate side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top for garnish, then allow the chocolate to set for about 1 hour or until completely hardened before removing from the parchment paper. (To set the chocolate faster, refrigerate if 30 minutes.)
- Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
