Homemade Chewy Granola Bars: A Healthy, Money-Saving Snack

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Are you tired of store-bought granola bars that are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients? Making your own homemade chewy granola bars is not only a healthier alternative, but it’s also a great way to save money. Whether you’re prepping snacks for your kids or grabbing something quick between homeschool lessons, these homemade granola bars will soon become a family favorite.

Why Homemade Granola Bars Are Better

When you make your own homemade chewy granola bars at home, you have full control over the ingredients. This means you can skip the processed sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives often found in store-bought versions. Instead, you can load up on wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

Healthy Benefits:

• Oats are a fantastic source of fiber and help keep you full for longer.
• Nuts and seeds provide essential fats and proteins that are great for growing kids and busy moms alike.
• Using natural sweeteners like honey keeps sugar content low while still satisfying your sweet tooth.

Save Money by Making Granola Bars from Scratch

Buying pre-packaged snacks can add up, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget. By making these chewy granola bars at home, you can save significantly. You can buy ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds in bulk, and each batch of granola bars will cost a fraction of what you’d spend on store-bought options.

Another bonus? Homemade granola bars are easy to customize. Have leftover dried fruit or chocolate chips in your pantry? Toss them in! You can adjust the recipe to suit your family’s taste preferences and dietary needs, making it a perfect, cost-effective snack.

Simple Ingredients, Quick Process

One of the best parts about making these granola bars is how quick and easy they are to prepare. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of homemade snacks ready to go. Here’s what you’ll need (feel free to customize these ingredients):

• Rolled oats
• Nut butter (almond, peanut, or sunflower seed butter)
• Honey or maple syrup
• Mix-ins like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chocolate chips
• A dash of vanilla or cinnamon for extra flavor

Customize to Your Liking
For those who like to switch things up, the beauty of this recipe is how versatile it is. Not only can you control the ingredients, but you can also make them gluten-free, dairy-free, or even keto-friendly, depending on your dietary needs. I even love to add PB2 Powder for some added protein for the kids.

Easy-to-Follow Steps

1. Pulse the oats and PB2 Powder together with a food processor.
2. Heat your nut butter, coconut oil, and honey (or sweetener of choice) in a saucepan until well combined.
3. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry mix and stir thoroughly.
4. Press the mixture into an 8×8 baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Once chilled, cut into bars, and enjoy!

Pro Tip: If you want extra chewy granola bars, make sure to press the mixture firmly into the pan before chilling.

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

Make these healthy chewy granola bars that actually stay together! Super customizable and a delicious and healthy snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Snack

Servings 12 servings

Equipment

• 1 food processor for pulsing oats… can use oat flour
• 1 sauce pot
• 1 Bowl
• 1 8×8 or 9×9 container either size you can use, the 9×9 will just make thinner bars

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup pb2 powder can use protein powder
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/3 cup if using mini chips

Instructions

 

• Pulse oats and PB2 powder together until oats are fine
• On medium heat, add peanut butter, coconut oil, and honey. Cook down until all is dissolved
• Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients together in a bowl.
• After letting the mixture cool a few minutes add chocolate chips (if not adding chocolate you can mix other toppings right away)
• Pour into a lined 8×8 dish with parchment paper and then press down evenly
• Let it sit in refrigerator for 2 hours
• Cut into bars and store in fridge for up to a week.

Notes

The mixture will seem small and compact, but I promise it will spread out! Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press down if needed. I like to top the mixture with chocolate chips as well!

Keyword granola, granola bars, healthy snack, homemade granola

Final Thoughts: A Healthy, Budget-Friendly Snack

In conclusion, making your own granola bars at home is a win-win. Not only do you get a healthier snack free from preservatives and unnecessary additives, but you also save money by avoiding the high cost of pre-packaged options. Plus, the recipe is simple enough to make in large batches and store for future snacking.

So, the next time you’re looking for a quick and healthy snack to power you through the day, why not try whipping up a batch of these chewy granola bars? Your wallet—and your body—will thank you!

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