Tips for perfect granola bars:
1. Start with a plain, low-fat, low sugar, granola for best results. If your granola is large or has a lot of big clusters, make sure to crush it up beforehand.
2. After some tips from readers, I started using 1/4 cup of brown sugar in the recipe instead of 1/2 cup and I think it’s better that way. I honestly can’t taste much of a difference in the sweetness of the granola bars and using less sugar is always better if you can get away with it.
However, I have found that using various kinds of granola (and probably rice cereal as well) can have a big affect on how much brown sugar you need for those bars. I believe that any issue with the bars being too hard or too soft are a result of this. My recommendation at this time is to start with 1/4 cup brown sugar to prevent them from being too hard, but if they wind up being too soft, then increase it to 1/2 cup brown sugar next time.
Update: After some testing, I have added an even lower sugar version. They’re a bit softer and will crumble easier than the normal version but still taste great. I think they work best cut into smaller pieces rather than the long bars. See the chocolate chip granola bar recipe for more info.
3. Make sure the dry ingredients are well coated with the sugar mixture to make sure the bars stick together well. If you add in more ingredients than the recipe calls for (extra nuts, seeds, etc.) make sure to reduce the amount of granola and rice cereal a bit to compensate.
4. Use a sturdy spatula to spread the ingredients into the pan and press down firmly to make sure the ingredients will sufficiently stick together. The bars should always be pressed to about 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick. You don’t want them thinner or they could be too soft. I always use two 9×5 loaf pans which are the perfect size and also makes them easier to cut up. I’ve been told the 13×9 pan that the original recipe called for is too large, so if you are using that size pan I would recommend increasing the ingredients by 1 1/2 or even doubling the recipe.
5. It’s easier to cut into the bars when they are still a little warm. Originally I had recommended that you refrigerate the bars, but I’ve found that refrigerating too long can lead to hard bars, so it’s best to let them set at room temp.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
adapted from
Snack, Dessert | Servings: 18 servings
Prep time: 0 | Cook time: 5 min | Total time: 25 min
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups plain granola
- 1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup peanut butter chips
Process
- Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan (see tip #4 above if you want to use 9×13) with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil. Set aside.
- Combine butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the granola and rice cereal into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill. Sprinkle the chocolate and peanut butter chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down with the spatula.
- Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.
Lower sugar version: Use low-sugar granola (see nutrition info below for recipe). Reduce both brown sugar and honey to 2 tbsp. each. Omit 2 tbsp. granola. Omit peanut butter chips, use 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips instead of regular size.
S’mores Chewy Granola Bars
adapted from
Snack, Dessert | Servings: 18 servings
Prep time: 0 | Cook time: 5 min | Total time: 25 min
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups plain granola
- 1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
- 2 tbsp. graham cracker crumbs (optional)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Process
- Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan (see tip #4 above if you want to use 9×13) with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil. Set aside.
- Combine butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the granola, rice cereal and graham cracker crumbs into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated. Very gently fold in the marshmallows.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill. Sprinkle the chocolate chips onto the top of the granola and gently press them down.
- Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.
Oatmeal Raisin Chewy Granola Bars
adapted from
Snack, Dessert | Servings: 18 servings
Prep time: 0 | Cook time: 5 min | Total time: 25 min
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 cups plain granola
- 1 cup rice cereal (Rice Krispies, etc.)
- 1/2 cup raisins
Process
- Line two 9×5 loaf pans or one 11×7 inch baking pan (see tip #4 above if you want to use 9×13) with foil or parchment. Lightly butter or spray the foil. Set aside.
- Combine butter, honey and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the granola, rice cereal and raisins into the saucepan and fold them into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pans and press firmly with a spatula to evenly fill.
- Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or until mostly cooled and set; lift out of the pan and cut into bars.
Nutrition info:
Store bought granola can have a lot of added fat and sugar so I recommend making it at home. All values are calculated using a plain version of this Applesauce granola recipe. I increased the oats to 3 cups and omitted the nuts, seeds, raisins and brown sugar.
These have 20-30 more calories and 1-2 more grams of fat than the store bought version, but I think they’re still worth it since you’re removing the unnecessary chemicals and preservatives.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 121
Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Low Sugar Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 96
Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
S’mores Chewy Granola Bars
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 131
Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1.5g
Oatmeal Raisin Chewy Granola Bars
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 111
Fat: 3.5
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1.5g