Nothing beats our homemade Granola Bars recipe that takes just 15 minutes to prep, no baking required, and they're healthier and less expensive than store-bought.
We have tons of healthy snacks you'll love, like our Banana Oat Muffins, Fruit Pops, Frozen Yogurt Recipe, or a Strawberry Banana Smoothie!
Chewy Granola Bars are my cure for hangry meltdowns
Chewy Granola Bars are my cure for hangry meltdownsA fridge stocked with ready-made snacks and healthy foods is what gets me through the grind of school-lunch and snack packing! I always try to have some healthy mini muffins, and our veggie bucket stocked with homemade ranch or hummus.
I love that our granola bars recipe is thick and chewy, and they don't fall apart. Customize them with favorite mix-ins like coconut, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, etc. If you're looking for an even healthier option, try Granola Bites, or Protein Bars.
How to make No Bake Granola Bars:
Combine Dry Ingredients: Pour oats, Rice Krispies cereal, and flaxseed into a large mixing bowl. Place parchment paper inside an 8 or 9 inch pan, leaving some overhang to pull them out.
Make Syrup: In an extra-large microwave safe bowl add butter, brown sugar, and honey. Microwave for 1 minute, then stir. Microwave again for 1 ½ minutes then remove and stir in vanilla.
Combine: Drizzle syrup over the oat/cereal mixture, gently stirring to coat. Stir in chocolate chips, then pour mixture into prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.
Press: Place another piece of parchment paper on top and press down with our palms, to press the mixture firmly into the pan. Press extra mini chocolate chips on top if you'd like, then refrigerate bars for 1-2 hours before cutting.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: Bars will keep in an air-tight container for up to 7 days. Store in the fridge for firmer bars, or at room temp for softer bars.
To Freeze: Cover pan tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil (or wrap individual bars in parchment paper and store in a freezer safe bag) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Healthy Snack Recipes:
- Chia Pudding
- Applesauce Muffins
- Healthy Banana Muffins
- Healthy Granola
- Instant Pot Yogurt
- Vanilla Protein Shake
- Chocolate Protein Shake
- Garlic and Parmesan Kale Chips
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Recipe
No Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups quick oats
- 1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
- 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 6 Tablespoons butter*
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips , or other favorite add-in's
Instructions
- Line 8 or 9’’ square pan with parchment paper, with some paper overhang.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl stir together oats, rice krispies cereal, and flaxseed.
- Microwave Wet ingredients: Add butter, brown sugar and honey to a large microwave safe bowl and cook for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir mixture until butter has melted. Return to microwave for 1 ½ minutes. Carefully remove from microwave and stir in vanilla.
- Combine: Drizzle mixture over dry ingredients, stirring gently until coated evenly. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into prepared pan, spreading into an even layer.
- Press into pan: Place a small piece of parchment over the mixture (or use lightly greased hands) and press mixture firmly into the pan. This is important so they don't crumble when you cut them. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and press them gently onto the tops of the bars.
- Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours before pulling up on the parchment paper to remove them from the pan and cut them.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for firmer bars or at room temperature for softer bars.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe in May 2015. Updated May 2018 and August 2024.
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Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe. I can now take this to my office so that I can control my cravings and at the same time remain fit. I would like to try it with different mixings. Keep posting such yummy recipes.
If you wanted to add in the peanut butter would you do it in place of the honey? Or in addition to? Not sure how to incorporate it!
Hi Katie, I would try cutting the butter down to 4 tablespoons, adding 1/4 cup honey, and 1/3 cup peanut butter. Stir the peanut butter into the butter mixture after it’s comes out of the microwave. I’d love to hear what you think!
I just tried this with the peanut butter as you suggested, but without an add-in to check the base recipe. I would suggest a little more than a 1/3 cup peanut butter and maybe even go to a 1/2 cup if you really want that peanut butter to really stand out. Next time will be doing half and half for the add-in with peanuts and chocolate chips.
So tasty. Used Maple syrup instead of honey and gluten free to accommodate dietary needs. Delicious would never know fod map and gluten free friendly
I’m glad you were able to make them gluten free. Thanks for sharing!
My whole family LOVES these! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing Jill! Always good to get the thumbs up from the family 🙂
I can’t believe how good and easy these granola bars are! I think I will be making these a lot at our house and trying different mix-ins. Thanks!!
I’m so happy you got to try them, and liked them! Thanks Anj <3
As soon as I saw you post these I had to make them and I’m so glad I did! AMAZING. Never buying store-bought again. I can’t believe how easy they are to make.
They really are so easy and way better then store bought granola bars. I’m so happy you enjoyed them!
Lauren, I need to make a batch of these for my husband to take on hikes. Of course, I’ll hold a few back for myself, to have with a cup of tea at home!
I need to do this! We buy SO MANY granola bars and I hate that they are loaded with sugar and chemicals!
Just what I’ve been looking for. Thanks!
You had me at no bake 🙂