These homemade chewy granola bars are so delicious, so quick and easy, and they cost 3 times less than store-bought!
These quick little granola bars are delicious.
Really yummy.
Usually wrapped in plastic, stored in a box, and costing at least 3 times more than the homemade version (this isn’t a scientific price analysis, just an illustrative analogy), who doesn’t love that? Raise your hand?
Over the past few months I’ve tried several homemade chewy granola bar recipes. They were good. Indeed.
But these are the best of the bunch. Of course, the mini chocolate chips on top won’t hurt, but the granola bars are delicious too.
Read the recipe and additional notes in full: Toasting the oats is optional but divine and pressing the mixture down firmly ensures the granola bars crumble without being crumbly or chewy. Crumbly = bad. Chewy = good. Enjoy!
Chewy Granola Bars
Yield: 10-12 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Materials needed
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) butter
- ¼ cup (85 grams) honey
- ¼ cup (53 grams) packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups (200 g) quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (43 grams) mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Lightly coat a 9×11-inch pan with cooking spray and set aside. If you don’t have a pan that size, use a similarly sized pan, such as an 8X12-inch one. This recipe is a little small for a 9X13-inch pan, but if you do, spoon the granola bar mixture into a small portion of the pan; the mixture won’t spread and works well.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats and rice krispies. Keep aside. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, honey, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the mixture comes together. Simmer for 2 minutes (to get the mixture to bubble slightly). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour the wet mixture over the oatmeal and rice krispies and mix with a wooden spoon until evenly moistened. Press the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing very firmly. If the mixture isn’t pressed down enough, the bars will fall apart as they cool. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top. Press lightly if you want them to stick to the wires. Mine fell off, which was good because lots of little fingers eagerly picked them up and were ready to eat them anyway.
- Let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Cut into rectangles. Store tightly covered at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Notes
Oats: Don’t substitute rolled oats for quick oats, as the granola bars will break up. If you only have rolled oats, give them a very quick whirl in a blender or food processor (don’t grind them!).
Toasting Oats: If you want to take this to a whole new level, toast the oats in the oven (350 degrees for 4-7 minutes) and let them cool before using in the recipe. Wonderful.
