Granola Bars (original) (raw)

When I’m looking for a snack, I want it to be wholesome. These Homemade Granola Bars are delicious and free of all the junk and preservatives you can’t pronounce on most boxes of affordable store-bought granola bars. Instead, I loaded mine with quick rolled oats, Medjool dates, peanut butter, walnuts, and chocolate chips. They still taste amazing and are much healthier with whole food ingredients.

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I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a bit crunchy… the kind of “crunchy” who left the city for the county, lives on a farm, grows their own vegetables, and makes their own Granola Bars. Guilty as charged! I love a hearty, chewy granola bar with a variety of textures, and this recipe is all of that and more! Marsha and I break these out of the freezer at the Budget Bytes studio on a regular basis; they make one heck of a snack.

Bonus: Because there’s no heat involved, these homemade granola bars are also fun to make with kids! They can mold the dough into fun shapes and help you in the kitchen!

Are Granola Bars Healthy?

That depends on a lot of factors. In general, granola bars are a good source of fiber (and sometimes protein, too!). However, many times, they also contain as much sugar and calories as candy bars. As a general rule, if I check the ingredient label on something and I can’t recognize or pronounce the majority of the ingredients, I usually put it back.

My homemade bars are made with Medjool dates and honey as the primary sweeteners, which are both lower on the glycemic index, making these bars more nutrient-dense and healthier than ones made with straight up sugar or corn syrup. The peanut butter and walnuts add a good bit of protein, and the oats up the fiber content. Overall, these homemade granola bars are much healthier than store-bought, but taste even better!

Here’s what you’ll need to make granola bars:

• Medjool Dates: Sweeten the bars and help bind them together.
• Chunky Peanut Butter: Adds creaminess and crunch, and also helps bind everything together.
• Walnuts: Add extra crunch and protein.
• Cinnamon: Adds a touch of warmth to the bars that enhances their overall flavor.
• Sea Salt: Enhances the flavors of these bars.
• Quick Rolled Oats: These are cut into smaller pieces than traditional rolled oats, making for a more cohesive bar.
• Honey: Adds a little extra sweetness and helps the bars harden.
• Chocolate Chips: Add a pop of rich chocolate flavor!

Is it cheaper to make your own granola bars?

Sometimes! I like to buy peanut butter and oats in bulk whenever they’re on sale since they keep well for a long time unopened. This really helps me cut down on costs. Some value-sized packs of store-bought granola bars are cheaper than my homemade recipe, but I can guarantee the ingredients aren’t nearly as wholesome. At just $0.72 per bar, these healthy homemade granola bars are good for your wallet and better for your body!

These bars are a great base for all kinds of mix-ins. Try:

• White chocolate chips
• Dried or freeze-dried fruits
• Nuts or seeds
• Mini marshmallows
• Crushed pretzels

Do you have a peanut allergy? Try swapping peanut butter and peanuts for almond butter. If you’re allergic to all tree nuts, try tahini and pumpkin seeds instead!

Cost 7.42recipe/7.42 recipe / 7.42recipe/0.74 serving

Homemade Granola Bars are wholesome and healthy! Loaded with oats, dates, peanut butter, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

• ▢ 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted ($2.99)

• ▢ 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter ($0.29)

• ▢ 1/4 cup walnuts ($0.87)

• ▢ 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon ($0.05)

• ▢ 1/4 tsp sea salt ($0.01)

• ▢ 1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats ($2.23)

• ▢ 1/4 cup honey ($0.78)

• ▢ 2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips ($0.20)

• Gather ingredients. In a food processor, process dates (make sure all of them are pitted!) until they form a big ball of “dough”

• In a mixing bowl, combine Medjool date "dough", chunky peanut butter, walnuts, ground cinnamon, sea salt, cups quick rolled oats, honey, and dark chocolate chips and mix together by hand (it’s going to be sticky!)

• Spread granola bar batter into a lined baking dish and freeze for 1-2 hours until firm but not completely solid.

• Remove from freezer. Cut bars into the size and shape you want. These will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one month!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Serving: 1barCalories: 222kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 6g (12%)Fat: 10g (15%)Sodium: 122mg (5%)Fiber: 3g (13%)

The nutrition data is automatically calculated using all ingredients listed on the recipe card, including any listed as optional. Percentages are of daily value.

how to make Granola Bars – step by step photos

Gather ingredients. In a food processor, process 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (make sure all of them are pitted!) until they form a big ball of “dough”

In a mixing bowl, combine Medjool date “dough”, 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter, 1/4 cup walnuts, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats, 1/4 cup honey, and 2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips and mix together by hand (it’s going to be sticky!)

Spread the granola bar batter into a lined baking dish and freeze for 1-2 hours until firm but not completely solid.

Remove from freezer. Cut bars into the size and shape you want. These will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one month!

You’ll never buy store-bought granola bars again!

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Jess RiceJess Rice finds joy and purpose in instructing aspiring chefs and home cooks alike. Chef Jess was recently working as a Chef Professor at Niagara College in Canadian wine country, teaching international students from all over the world food theory and classic culinary techniques before moving back to Nashville. Her diverse experience also includes working (literally) every position in a restaurant to traveling all over the world as a private chef to celebrities and rock ‘n roll legends. As a successful restaurateur, she helped shape the local food scene in Nashville with the debut of her raw vegan restaurant AVO and its innovative and flavorful offerings. Jess’ passion for culinary excellence is evident in her diverse roles within the dynamic world of food. She’s excited to share her love for food with our readers at BudgetBytes