Description

These budget-friendly, chewy granola bars are the perfect backpack snack. Made with pantry staples like oats, honey, and peanut butter, they are easy to make, customizable, and hold together better than store-bought versions.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup honey
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
Optional mix-ins: ½ cup mini chocolate chips, ½ cup chopped nuts, ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins, ¼ cup seeds

Instructions

Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides for easy removal.
Sprinkle the oats into a large mixing bowl. Add any nuts, dried fruit, or seeds to the bowl and set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
Stir constantly until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, about 3-4 minutes. Do not let it boil vigorously; remove from heat once smooth and bubbly.
Pour the hot honey mixture over the oats and mix-ins in the mixing bowl. Stir immediately and thoroughly to coat every oat.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly using a spatula or the back of a greased spoon to eliminate air pockets.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. For best results, refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes to ensure they set completely.
Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper handles and slice into 12 large or 16 smaller bars.

Notes

Do not use quick oats as they turn to mush; old-fashioned rolled oats are required for the proper chewy texture. It is crucial to press the mixture firmly into the pan and let it cool completely (preferably in the fridge) before cutting to prevent crumbling. If using runny honey, you may need to add a tablespoon more oats.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 180
Sugar: 14
Sodium: 45
Fat: 7
Saturated Fat: 3
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 2
Protein: 4

Keywords: granola bars, back to school snacks, chewy granola bars, honey oat bars, budget snacks, kid-friendly snacks, meal prep, gluten-free option