Description
Homemade chewy granola bars deliver irresistible comfort and wholesome goodness straight from your kitchen. Packed with nutritious ingredients and simple charm, these bars promise a delightful snack you’ll crave anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) coconut oil (solid)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust if using salted nuts/peanut butter)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup roasted and salted cashews
Mix-ins:
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) mini chocolate chips, divided
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) mini M&M’s, divided
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by lining an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring excess paper hangs over the edges for effortless removal.
- Create the binding base by combining peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a saucepan. Gently heat over medium temperature, stirring continuously until fully melted. Allow the mixture to simmer for one minute, then remove from heat and let cool for approximately 3 minutes. Incorporate salt and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
- Roughly chop cashews into uneven pieces. Fold oats, shredded coconut, and chopped cashews into the cooled liquid mixture. Allow the combined ingredients to rest for 15-25 minutes until reaching a tepid temperature.
- Gently fold chocolate chips and M&M’s into the granola mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the base.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, using a measuring cup to compress the ingredients firmly and create a uniform layer. Strategically sprinkle additional chocolate chips and M&M’s across the surface, delicately pressing them into the base.
- Refrigerate the pan for one hour to allow the bars to set and solidify completely.
- Remove the hardened granola bars from the refrigerator, lift the entire block using the parchment paper overhang, and slice into 12 consistent portions.
Notes
- Customize Texture by adjusting the amount of dry ingredients to achieve desired chewiness or crunchiness.
- Prevent Sticky Bars by ensuring the binding mixture is fully cooled before adding dry ingredients to maintain structural integrity.
- Create Dietary Alternatives by swapping peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free options and using gluten-free oats for celiac-friendly version.
- Enhance Flavor Profiles by experimenting with different mix-ins like dried fruits, seeds, or alternative chocolate types to personalize the granola bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg