Whether on the go or on the couch, you’ll get a boost of energy and taste with these Homemade Granola Bars with honey, chocolate chip, oats, coconut & peanut butter.
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I am not much of an outdoorswoman (unless sitting on a patio drinking cocktails is considered outdoorsy) so homemade granola bars rarely feature in my eating habits. But when the nice weather reveals itself and me and the family take the occasional trail, my appetite for such energy-packed treats perks up. That’s the motivation behind this recipe.
I’ve included my personal faves—cinnamon, coconut, peanut butter, chocolate chips—with the goal of balancing taste and health. I hope you approve. And if you don’t, feel free to omit/add any ingredients to suit your own preferences.
I’ve experimented with this recipe to produce my Sugar-Free Keto Granola Bars or Energy Quinoa Breakfast Bars, so if you like them then this recipe should be right up your alley. They’re crunchy yet melty (yes, that is SO a word!) and the ideal snack for when you need the energy to climb that hill… or throw back that cocktail!
Who Invented The Granola Bar?
The answer is up for dispute, though we can at least say that the first was created in 1970s America by either Stanley Mason or Herrick Kimball. Both men have laid claim to transforming loose granola into a compact form. Defending Mason’s claim is the reputable MIT website, while Kimball asserts he mentions the invention in a letter written in 1975. It’s almost 50 years on and we’re no further ahead in the debate!
Are Granola Bars Healthy?
These granola bars are indeed healthy, containing as they do fiber and protein from the oats and peanut butter. For those of you (and me) who have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate and honey have been included. Both are relatively healthy sweeteners. And what’s more, this recipe is suitable for a gluten-free diet (just use gluten-free oats), a vegetarian diet, a dairy-free diet, and a plant-based diet. If you’re vegan, skip the honey and drizzle in some plant-based sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar. To make it paleo or keto friendly, the recipe would have to undergo significant changes; you’d be better off checking out the links above.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup shredded dried coconut
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
Stir
Line a square baking dish with parchment paper. Add the oats, salt, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl. Stir well.
Chop
Roughly chop the dark chocolate chips. Add them to the oat mixture along with the shredded coconut.
Mix
Mix the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract in with the dry ingredients until combined.
Transfer
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use a spoon or spatula to flatten the surface evenly.
Refrigerate
Cover the baking tray and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
Slice
Once the oats are set and hard, lift them out of the dish. Use a sharp knife to slice them into 8 even bars.
DEVOUR!
Tips & Tricks to Making a Perfect Granola Bar
- Use fresh oats and the best-quality peanut butter and chocolate you can find (or at least your favorite peanut butter and chocolate).
- To prevent crumbling, press the mixture down firmly on the sheet with a spatula or something similar.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting. You want them firm in order to make clean cuts.
- The granola will be stubborn so call upon your sharpest knife to cut.
- Dampen your hands slightly to prevent the granola from sticking to your hands.
FAQs
Quick oats will work just fine, though your bars might be more on the dense side and a tiny bit less chewy.
If peanut butter’s not in your diet, use a different nut butter like almond or cashew. If you can’t do any nuts, opt for sunflower seed butter or tahini.
Toss in some dried fruit, mix in a handful of nuts, or sprinkle in some mini marshmallows if being out in the woods has you craving s’mores.
In this recipe, we have the honey and peanut butter to thank, though brown sugar and molasses have been used in other versions to tackle the same task.
Serving Suggestions
These homemade granola bars are perfect for mornings on the go. Pair yours with a fresh cup of coffee or tea and your breakfasts are settled. Later in the day they make a great energy-packed snack for those of you gym-bound. They can also slide right into your kids’ lunch boxes. I like to save one for dessert topped with Greek yogurt.
how to prep and store your granola bars
These granola bars were made for advance prep. Just follow the recipe, cool them off in the fridge, and then cut them up. Stock them in a tight jar or airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to a week. You can also refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup shredded dried coconut
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a squared baking dish with parchment paper. Add the oats, salt, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl. Stir well.
- Roughly chop the dark chocolate chips. Add along with the shredded coconut to the oat mixture.
- Mix the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract in with the dry ingredients until combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use a spoon or spatula to flatten the surface evenly.
- Cover the baking tray and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
- Once the oats are set and hard, lift them out of the dish and use a sharp knife to slice them into 8 even bars.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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