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Best Chewy, Naturally Sweetened Homemade Granola Bars

A stack of chewy homemade granola bars filled with oats, nuts, and chocolate chips on a white plate.
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Make chewy, wholesome granola bars at home using natural sweeteners. This base recipe is easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup mixed nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup smooth nut butter (almond or peanut)
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mix-ins (dried fruit, chocolate chips, or extra seeds)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, nuts and seeds, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
  3. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the nut butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a sturdy spatula to mix everything thoroughly until all the oats are evenly coated.
  5. Stir in your chosen mix-ins.
  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the pan using the back of a spatula or a second piece of parchment paper. Pressing firmly is key for chewy bars.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  8. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling time is essential for them to set properly.
  9. Once completely cool (about 1 hour), lift the parchment paper overhang to remove the block of granola from the pan. Cut into 12 or 16 bars.

Notes

  • For a no-bake version, skip step 4 and 5. Heat the wet ingredients gently until combined, then mix with dry ingredients. Press firmly into the pan and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before cutting.
  • If you prefer a richer flavor, toast the oats and nuts lightly in the oven for 8 minutes before mixing them with the other dry ingredients.
  • Store the finished bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate for longer storage.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://whiskdaily.com/homemade-granola-bars-chewy-recipe/