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Chewy homemade granola bars with chocolate chips and oats

Chewy, sweet granola bars with chocolate chips

Homemade Granola Bars

Homemade Granola Bars

1h 15mEasy

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

0 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Servings

12

12 bars

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Homemade Granola Bars

Chewy, sweet granola bars with chocolate chips

Chewy homemade granola bars held together with honey and peanut butter, packed with oats, chocolate chips, and dried fruit. Better than store-bought and free of artificial ingredients.

15m

Prep Time

0m

Cook Time

75m

Total Time

12

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Main CourseSnackVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

February 23, 2025(Updated April 12, 2026)

These homemade granola bars are chewy, sweet, and packed with wholesome ingredients that give kids sustained energy. They are no-bake, requiring just a microwave and a pan for the easiest snack prep ever.

Why This Recipe Works

Honey and peanut butter create a natural binder that holds the bars together without baking. Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is the secret to bars that hold their shape instead of crumbling.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
OvenBake

Test Kitchen Pick

Sheet Pan

Helpful Tool

Why a good sheet pan helps here

The pan is doing more work here than it looks like. A sturdy, evenly heating sheet pan gives you better browning and fewer hot spots.

This recipe benefits from more even oven contact and easier cleanup.

  • Promotes more even browning
  • Useful across weeknight roasts and baking

A heavy rimmed sheet pan is one of the highest-use tools in almost any kitchen.

Shop sheet pan options for this recipe

Instructions

  1. 1

    Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy removal.

  2. 2

    Heat peanut butter and honey in the microwave for 30 seconds until melted and stirrable. Mix well.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, combine oats, chocolate chips, cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Pour warm peanut butter mixture over and stir until everything is coated.

  4. 4

    Press mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup.

  5. 5

    Refrigerate at least 1 hour until firm. Lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into 12 bars.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

  • Pair with your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor

Substitutions

Peanut butterAlmond butter or SunButter

Any nut or seed butter works as the binder

HoneyMaple syrup or agave

Both provide the same sticky binding effect

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Press the mixture as firmly and tightly as possible—this is the number one key to bars that hold together.

  • Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes if you are short on time.

Storage

Wrap individually and store at room temperature up to 5 days or refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

Reheating

Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled from the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 12 servings

Calories180
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein5g
Carbohydrates8g
Fat24g
Fiber60mg
Sugar2g
Sodium10g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my bars crumble?
They were not pressed firmly enough, or the honey-peanut butter mixture was not warm enough to bind.
Can I make these nut-free?
Use SunButter or tahini in place of peanut butter for a nut-free version.

Explore More

More Main CourseMore SnackVegetarian RecipesNo-Cook Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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