Healthy Granola Bars

A hand holding up a single healthy homemade granola bar with more bars in the background

The Best Homemade Healthy Granola Bars! These healthy granola bars are refined sugar free, easy to make & delicious- a perfect healthy snack!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Chill Time1

Total Time1 20

Servings: granola bars

Calories: 161kcal

Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats 100 g
1 cup quick cook oats 100 g
½ cup honey 165 g
¼ cup coconut oil 50 g *do not use liquid coconut oil
2 tablespoons coconut sugar 25 g
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups crispy rice cereal 60 g
¼ cup ground flaxseed 25 g
½ teaspoon sea salt
⅓ cup mini chocolate chips 60 g

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a square 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Spread out the old-fashioned oats and quick oats onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and toast them in the preheated oven for 3 minutes, stir and then toast for another 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden (do not wait for them to turn brown, you just want them lightly toasted). Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add coconut oil, coconut sugar, and honey to the pan and stir together until the coconut oil is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
Bring the mixture to a low simmer, stirring continuously. Once the mixture starts to bubble remove from the heat, stir in vanilla extract and allow it to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted oats with the puffed rice cereal, flaxseed, and salt. Stir together. Pour the honey/coconut oil mixture over the other ingredients and use a rubber spatula to stir and coat evenly.
Wait for the granola mixture to fully cool before mixing in the mini chocolate chips (if the mixture is even slightly warm it will melt the chocolate). Stir in the chocolate chips until they are fully incorporated into the granola and evenly dispersed.
Spread the granola mixture into the lined square baking pan. Use an extra piece of parchment paper to press the granola mixture into the pan, packing tightly and evenly.
Place the pan in the fridge and chill for about 1 hour before cutting.
To cut, carefully remove the granola from the pan using the parchment paper to lift. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it in half and then cut each half into 7 pieces a little larger than 1-inch wide. Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to enjoy.

Notes

Tips for the best granola bars:

Toast the oats to enhance the flavor. This step doesn't take much time, and it is worth doing!

Wait for the syrup mixture to cool completely before adding the chocolate chips. The oats will be added to the honey and coconut sugar mixture on the stove, and it will be very hot. Adding the chips too quickly will cause them to melt.

Press the granola bar mixture firmly into the pan. For the best chewy granola bars, place a piece of parchment paper over the mixture to prevent it from sticking to your hands. Press the mixture firmly down into the pan to compact it.

Allow the bars to chill in the fridge for about an hour before cutting and then return them to the fridge after cutting.

Nutrition