The Best Homemade Granola Bars
Need a healthy, make-ahead breakfast idea? These homemade granola bars are crunchy, chocolatey, and ready whenever you are. They’re packed with crunchy nuts, hearty oats, a touch of honey for sweetness, and just the right amount of dark chocolate to make them feel like a treat. I’ve made three batches this week whilst I was perfecting this recipe, and each time they disappeared from my kitchen super fast!
What I love most is how simple they are—no weird ingredients, no fuss, just real food you can grab when you need something quick. Plus, they’re endlessly customizable depending on what you’ve got in the pantry.
Whether you’re tossing them into a lunchbox, grabbing one before a workout, or stashing a few in the freezer for busy days, these granola bars are a go-to you’ll want to keep around. Give them a try this week and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
- Mixed nuts
- Rolled oats
- Honey
- Salt
- Dark chocolate chips
- Coconut oil
Step-by-Step Guide for Making Your Homemade Granola Bars
Please note that I’ve included a printable recipe card for towards the end of this post! It includes absolutely everything you need to know to make these granola bars, and you’re very welcome to print it out and add it to your own recipe folder at home. Here, I’m going to share the steps alongside some photos to help to demonstrate the various stages…
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mixed nuts, rolled oats, honey, and a pinch of salt until everything’s well coated and evenly mixed.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared dish and press it down firmly—really pack it in so the bars hold together nicely.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to crisp up and the nuts look lightly golden.
- Take it out of the oven and let it cool completely in the dish. (This part’s key for clean slices later!)
- While it cools, melt the dark chocolate chips with the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl—30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Once the bars are cool, slice into 9–12 pieces. Dip the bottom of each bar into the melted chocolate, then drizzle more over the top with a spoon or piping bag.
- Pop the bars into the fridge for 15–20 minutes to let the chocolate set.
- Once the chocolate’s firm, they’re good to go—slice, serve, and enjoy!
Storage Tips
Store your granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep them in a cool, dry spot so the chocolate doesn’t get too melty.
If your kitchen runs warm (or you just like a firmer texture), stash them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Want to make a bigger batch? Freeze the bars individually wrapped in parchment paper and packed in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last up to 2 months—just let them thaw at room temp before eating.
Variations to Try
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Mix up the nuts – Swap in almonds, pecans, cashews, walnuts—whatever you love or have hanging out in the pantry.
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Add dried fruit – Stir in a handful of dried cranberries, cherries, apricots, or raisins for a little natural sweetness and chewiness.
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Go seed crazy – Add sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds for extra crunch and a little nutrient boost.
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Use different chocolate – White chocolate, milk chocolate, or even a drizzle of peanut butter instead of dark chocolate totally works.
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Make it tropical – Throw in some shredded coconut and dried pineapple for a fun, summery twist.
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Add spices – A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little ginger powder can warm things up if you want something cozy.
Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed nuts
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mixed nuts, rolled oats, honey, and a pinch of salt until everything's well coated and evenly mixed.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared dish and press it down firmly—really pack it in so the bars hold together nicely.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to crisp up and the nuts look lightly golden.
- Take it out of the oven and let it cool completely in the dish. (This part’s key for clean slices later!)
- While it cools, melt the dark chocolate chips with the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl—30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- Once the bars are cool, slice into 9–12 pieces. Dip the bottom of each bar into the melted chocolate, then drizzle more over the top with a spoon or piping bag.
- Pop the bars into the fridge for 15–20 minutes to let the chocolate set.
- Once the chocolate’s firm, they’re good to go—slice, serve, and enjoy!
These are granola bars that are actually worth making from scratch! They’re crunchy, chewy, just the right amount of sweet, and way better than anything you’ll grab off a grocery store shelf.
Whether you’re packing them for busy mornings, afternoon snacks, or just need something to nibble on between meals, these bars are the kind of easy win you’ll want to keep around. If you make them, make sure you tag me in your pics on Instagram @slimmingviolet!
