Crunchy Granola Bars

5 from 2 votes

With a flavor and texture similar to store bought crunchy granola bars, but less added sugar and lower cost, these Crunchy Granola Bars are a favorite kids snack. Plus, they store well at room temperature for weeks! (Adapted from LiveEatLearn)

Prep Time10

Cook Time22

Total Time32

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 129kcal

Author: Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

2½ cups rolled oats
¼ cup coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
¼ cup honey (or brown rice syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup brown sugar (reduce to 2 tbsp to make them less sweet)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper.
Grind 1 cup of the oats into a flour in a food processor or blender. Set aside.
In a heat-safe bowl, warm the brown rice syrup and coconut oil for 30-60 seconds, or until melted. Stir.
Add the brown sugar and vanilla, and stir to dissolve the sugar.
Add the rest of the ingredients, including the oat flour and the rolled oats, and stir well to combine. (The batter will be thick. You may need to use your hands.)
Add to the prepared pan, pressing down very firmly.
Bake for 20-24 minutes. Remove from oven. Press down firmly with the base of a heat-safe cup or jar. Score with a knife into bars (so they are easier to cut after they cool.)
Let cool fully before slicing through into bars. The bars firm as they cool.

Notes

Store fully cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month. Or freeze, well wrapped in a freezer bag, for up to 6 months.
Add a dash of cinnamon for a cinnamon-vanilla flavor.
Add 1 tablespoon sesame seeds to add a yummy sesame flavor.
Add a scoop of protein powder to increase the protein in this recipe.
Press mini chocolate chips into the top of the bars before baking to make a chocolate chip version.
To make a little softer, add 1 egg to the batter.

Nutrition