Description
These Healthy Granola Bars are a perfect nutritious snack made with natural ingredients like honey, nut butter, rolled oats, nuts, and dark chocolate chips. Easy to prepare and bake, they offer a wholesome, delicious treat that can be enjoyed anytime, whether as a quick breakfast or an afternoon energy booster.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts or almonds
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius) and line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine honey, peanut or almond butter, and sea salt. Stir the mixture thoroughly until all the wet ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a smooth base.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the rolled oats, finely chopped walnuts or almonds, and dark chocolate chips into the wet mixture. Stir everything together until the oats and nuts are evenly coated and well combined.
- Press into pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or your hands to compact the ingredients tightly, which helps the bars hold their shape after baking.
- Bake the bars: Place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 18 minutes if you prefer soft granola bars, or 20 to 22 minutes for a crispier texture. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
- Cool in pan: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan for about 20 minutes. This cooling period allows the bars to set properly, making them easier to cut.
- Remove and slice: Use the edges of the parchment paper to lift the granola bars out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and slice into 8 to 10 bars along the same lines to create evenly sized portions.
- Final cooling: Allow the sliced bars to cool fully at room temperature before serving or storing to ensure they maintain their desired texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the nuts with your favorite seeds or omit chocolate chips for a less sweet option.
- Store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- For gluten-free bars, ensure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- These bars can be frozen for up to three months; thaw before eating.
