Wholesome Homemade Granola Bars
These homemade granola bars are a healthy alternative to store-bought snacks, crafted without any added butter or refined sugar. Perfect for a quick breakfast or an energy-boosting snack, these bars are packed with natural ingredients that your family will love. Customize them with your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or chocolate chips for a delicious treat that suits your taste buds. Easy to make and perfect for meal prep, these granola bars will become a staple in your household!
20
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
honey or maple syrup
1 cup (warmed slightly)
natural smooth peanut butter
2/3 cup
regular rolled oats
2 2/3 cups
ground pecans or wheat germ
1/3 cup
whole wheat flour or regular flour
1 cup
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon
chopped dried fruit or chocolate chips
2 cups (choice of mix-ins)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.
2
Warm the honey or maple syrup slightly in the microwave until it's easy to stir, about 15 to 30 seconds.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warmed honey or maple syrup with peanut butter until smooth and well blended.
4
Add in the rolled oats, ground pecans or wheat germ, whole wheat flour, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until all dry ingredients are well incorporated.
5
Fold in your choice of mix-ins such as chopped dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, or ground flax seeds.
6
Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing down firmly and evenly to ensure the bars hold together during baking.
7
Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and the center is set.
8
Remove the pan from the oven and, while still warm, cut into 20 equal bars.
9
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before removing them.
10
For easy grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks, wrap each bar individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Wholesome Homemade Granola Bars?
These are a healthy alternative to store-bought snacks, crafted without butter or refined sugar and packed with natural ingredients like oats, honey, and peanut butter.
Are these granola bars healthy?
Yes, they are made with natural ingredients and contain no added butter or refined sugars, making them a nutritious snack or breakfast option.
Does this recipe include butter?
No, this recipe is specifically designed to be made without any butter.
Is there refined sugar in these granola bars?
No, these bars are sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, you can use either honey or maple syrup as the natural sweetener for this recipe.
What kind of peanut butter works best?
The recipe calls for natural smooth peanut butter for the best consistency and health benefits.
What type of oats should I use?
You should use regular rolled oats for this recipe.
Can I substitute the ground pecans?
Yes, you can use wheat germ instead of ground pecans if you prefer.
What kind of flour is required?
You can use either whole wheat flour or regular all-purpose flour.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long do these granola bars need to bake?
They should be baked for approximately 15 minutes or until the edges begin to brown and the center is set.
What size pan is used for this recipe?
You should use a 9x13-inch pan lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
How many bars does one batch produce?
One batch produces 20 equal-sized granola bars.
Why should I warm the honey or syrup?
Warming the honey or syrup for 15 to 30 seconds makes it easier to stir and blend with the peanut butter.
When should I cut the granola bars?
You should cut them into bars while they are still warm, but let them cool completely in the pan before removing them.
How do I ensure the bars hold together?
Press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the pan before baking to help the bars stay together.
Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
Yes, chocolate chips can be folded in as a mix-in along with nuts or dried fruit.
What types of dried fruit can I use?
You can use any chopped dried fruit you enjoy, such as raisins, cranberries, or apricots.
Are these bars suitable for meal prep?
Yes, these bars are perfect for meal prep as they can be wrapped individually for easy grab-and-go snacks.
How should I store the finished granola bars?
For convenience, wrap each bar individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap after they have cooled completely.
Can I add seeds to this recipe?
Yes, ground flax seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds are great additions to the mix-in step.
Is cinnamon necessary?
Cinnamon adds great flavor, but you can adjust the amount or omit it if you prefer.
Are these granola bars family-friendly?
Absolutely! They are a delicious and healthy treat that both kids and adults will love.
Can I use different nuts?
Yes, you can customize the bars with your favorite nuts in the mix-in stage.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray your 9x13-inch pan.
Do I need a large mixing bowl?
Yes, a large mixing bowl is recommended to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the edges start to brown and the center looks set.
Can I use regular flour instead of whole wheat?
Yes, the recipe allows for either whole wheat flour or regular flour.
Are these granola bars chewy or crunchy?
These bars are generally chewy and soft, especially if pressed down firmly and not overbaked.
Is this recipe versatile?
Yes, it is highly versatile as you can swap the mix-ins, sweeteners, and flours to suit your taste.