This popular post has been updated! You may notice the little one in the pictures is now a teenager!
About 3:00 in the afternoon, the little voices in our home begin to ask, “What is for snack?” You too? Just like with meals, I want to give my children snacks that are both wholesome and tasty snacks. One of our go-to options is granola bars.
Knowing that I could make them much cheaper than the boxed versions from the local supermarket (and yummier too), I created a recipe that quickly became a favorite of everyone.
Homemade Granola Bars Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Rice Krispies (or Crispy Rice if you purchase the off brand)
1 1/2 cup Granola (can also use plain rolled oats)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup raisins, cran-raisins, coconut, or other dried fruit (optional)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (more or less to taste, optional)
Click to print the Granola Bar recipe.
Homemade Granola Bars Directions
Since I make granola every other week for the hubby and kiddos, we always have a fresh batch available for granola bars. If you’ve never made granola, it’s surprisingly easy—and much more affordable than store-bought. But don’t worry: if you don’t have granola on hand, rolled oats work just fine too.
Begin by pouring the granola into a large bowl. (To note, I always make a double batch of these goodies as disappear quickly, so the images reflect doubled amounts.)
Next, stir in the Rice Krispies. If you’re lucky like me, you have a cute little helper to do the stirring!
Now it’s time to prepare the “liquid” ingredients—though they won’t look very liquid at first. Just like when I make Homemade Granola, these ingredients will be heated to dissolve the sugar and melt the peanut butter.
In a microwave-safe bowl, add the packed brown sugar.
Next, measure and pour in the honey. I recommend a Pampered Chef Measure All Cup – it makes sticky ingredients so much easier to handle.
Then add the peanut butter using the same measuring cup and stir everything together.
Quick note: you may be tempted to adjust the sugar or peanut butter, but be careful not to alter the dry-to-wet ratio too much, or the bars may not hold together well.
Microwave the mixture for 1 minute.
It may look like a brown, gooey mess, but give it a stir—it’ll soon turn into a smooth, delicious coating. (Heat a few seconds longer if everything hasn’t fully melted.)
Now stir in the vanilla. Be sure to add it after heating; adding it too early can cause the flavor to cook out. You’re welcome for the little science tip!
You should now have a smooth, runny mixture. If you want the chocolate chips to melt throughout, stir them in now while it’s still hot.
Pour the warm mixture over the granola and Rice Krispies. This is the time to add any extras—raisins, dried cranberries, shredded coconut, or more chocolate chips if you prefer them whole. Mix until everything is fully coated.
Transfer the mixture to a pan—9×13″ for a single batch, or a jelly roll pan for a double.
Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to press it down firmly. Let it cool completely. As it cools, it will firm up and hold together.
Once cool—if you can wait that long—cut into bars and enjoy! Click to print the Granola Bar recipe.
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