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Easy homemade granola bars with oats chocolate chips and dried fruit

Easy Homemade Granola Bars

Chewy homemade granola bars made with oats, peanut butter, honey, and simple mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds. Perfect for snacks, breakfast, lunchboxes, and meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds

Equipment

  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 8-inch square pan
  • 1 parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
  2. Add the peanut butter and honey or maple syrup to a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.
  3. Warm gently until smooth and easy to stir.
  4. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
  5. Add the rolled oats to a mixing bowl.
  6. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the oats and stir until evenly coated.
  7. Fold in the mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds.
  8. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
  9. Chill for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
  10. Lift the mixture out of the pan using the parchment paper.
  11. Slice into bars.
  12. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Press the mixture firmly into the pan so the bars hold together. If the mixture feels too dry, add a little more peanut butter or honey. If it feels too sticky, add a few more oats. Keep the bars chilled for the best texture.