Nutty Fruit & Chocolate Granola Bars
Say goodbye to store-bought granola bars and embrace the wholesome goodness of these homemade Nutty Fruit & Chocolate Granola Bars! Packed with a delightful mix of rolled oats, crunchy almonds, sunflower seeds, and shredded coconut, these bars are not only easy to make but also incredibly nutritious. Sweetened with honey and brown sugar, and enriched with a touch of creamy peanut butter, each bite is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Feel free to customize with your favorite nuts and dried fruits for a unique twist. Ideal for a quick breakfast, a post-workout snack, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these bars will leave you satisfied and energized!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rolled Oats
2 1/2 cups (uncooked)
Shredded Coconut
1/4 cup (unsweetened)
Chopped Almonds
1/2 cup (raw or toasted)
Sunflower Seeds
1/4 cup (raw)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup (sifted)
Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
Honey
1/2 cup (liquid)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (sifted)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
Peanut Butter
1/4 cup (creamy or chunky)
Raisins
1/2 cup (chopped if large)
Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup (chopped if large)
Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup (chocolate chips)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
On a large baking sheet, spread the rolled oats, shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and sunflower seeds evenly. Toast in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure an even golden color.
3
While the mixture is toasting, prepare a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, baking soda, vanilla extract, and peanut butter. Mix well until fully combined and a smooth batter forms.
4
Once the oat mixture is done toasting, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes—this prevents the chocolate chips from melting when mixed in.
5
Meanwhile, grease a 9x11-inch baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper or foil for easy removal.
6
Once cooled, add the toasted oat mixture to the large bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir in the raisins, dried cranberries, and miniature semisweet chocolate chips until everything is well mixed.
7
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using your oiled hands, press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the dish until it is flat and smooth.
8
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
9
Using a knife or spatula, cut along the sides of the dish. Carefully lift out the granola bars using the parchment paper or foil. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 12 bars. If any bars break apart, simply mold them back together—these will harden as they cool.
10
Allow the bars to cool completely before storing. Enjoy your nutritious homemade granola bars!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Nutty Fruit & Chocolate Granola Bars?
These are homemade granola bars packed with rolled oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, dried fruits, and chocolate chips, held together with honey and peanut butter.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 12 granola bars.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
Which ingredients need to be toasted first?
You should toast the rolled oats, shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and sunflower seeds together on a large baking sheet.
How long should I toast the oat and nut mixture?
Toast the mixture for about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even coloring.
Why must I cool the toasted mixture before adding chocolate chips?
Cooling the mixture for about 10 minutes prevents the miniature semisweet chocolate chips from melting immediately when mixed in.
What size baking dish is recommended for this recipe?
A 9x11-inch baking dish is recommended.
How can I ensure easy removal of the bars from the pan?
Grease the baking dish and line the bottom with parchment paper or foil for easy removal.
What type of peanut butter can I use?
You can use either creamy or chunky peanut butter depending on your texture preference.
Can I make these granola bars vegan?
While the original recipe uses eggs and honey, you can attempt to use flax eggs and maple syrup or agave to make them vegan-friendly.
Are these granola bars gluten-free?
To make them gluten-free, ensure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats and substitute the whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
What kind of oats are best for this recipe?
Uncooked rolled oats are best for providing the traditional granola bar texture.
How long do the granola bars need to bake?
The bars should bake for 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
How do I get the mixture flat in the baking dish?
Use your oiled hands to press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the dish until it is smooth.
What should I do if the bars break apart when cutting?
If they break, simply mold them back together while they are still slightly warm; they will harden and set as they cool.
Can I substitute the almonds with other nuts?
Yes, you can customize the recipe with your favorite nuts, such as walnuts or pecans.
What dried fruits are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for raisins and dried cranberries, both chopped if they are large.
Is it necessary to sift the flour and baking soda?
Yes, sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures an even distribution within the batter.
What type of chocolate chips should I use?
Miniature semisweet chocolate chips are recommended as they distribute better throughout the bars.
Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar?
Brown sugar is preferred for its moisture and molasses flavor, but white sugar can be used if necessary.
How long should the bars cool before I cut them?
Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes after baking, then transfer to a cutting board to slice into 12 bars.
Are these bars good for a post-workout snack?
Yes, they are packed with oats, nuts, and seeds, making them an excellent source of energy and nutrients.
Can I omit the shredded coconut?
Yes, if you do not like coconut, you can omit it or replace it with extra oats or seeds.
What role do the eggs play in the recipe?
The beaten eggs act as a binder to hold the dry ingredients together while baking.
Can I add extra seeds like chia or flax seeds?
Yes, you can add small amounts of extra seeds for added nutrition, though you may need a touch more honey to maintain the bond.
How should I store these homemade granola bars?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.
Is the vanilla extract necessary?
Pure vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the bars, but it can be omitted if unavailable.
Can I use liquid sweeteners other than honey?
You can substitute honey with maple syrup or brown rice syrup, though the flavor and binding strength may vary slightly.
What provides the cinnamon flavor?
One teaspoon of ground cinnamon is mixed into the wet batter for a warm, spiced flavor.
Are these bars better than store-bought ones?
Homemade bars are often better because they lack preservatives and allow you to control the quality of ingredients.