Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars – easy recipe for granola bars. They are so much better than the store-bought kind! Your family will love them!
Being a mom requires me to have certain recipes always on hand. Granola bars are definitely one of them. Especially if they are no-bake and easy to make!
My kids love oatmeal (to my absolute delight!) so I knew they will love these bars too. They are packed with oats, raisins, honey and a little bit of chocolate. 🙂
I tried making my own granola bars many times before and all of the recipes called for baking the bars. They never came out like I wanted them. Hard and crunchy – no, thank you. When my Hubby saw me making these, he asked if I can make them chewy. 🙂 Just a little suggestion on his part. And he was so right! Chewy granola bars are the best!
These couldn’t be easier to make. You stir together the oats, crispy rice cereal, raisins and chocolate. Then make the honey “glue” that’s going to deliciously hold the bars together and combine it all. Press firmly into a pan and let set for at least a couple of hours.
Options:
– You can use dried cranberries in place of raisins.
– You can use white chocolate or milk chocolate in place of the semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Or drizzle the bars once set with melted chocolate!
– You can use maple syrup or even corn syrup (for the least healthy version) in place of honey. I am thinking agave syrup may work too, but don’t hold me to it. If you try it that way – please, leave a comment!
I got 12 bars, 2 inches x 4,5 inches each. I add the chocolate just before pressing the mixture into the pan, so it won’t completely melt from the hot honey mixture. You can also add the chocolate after pressing the bars into the pan, by pressing the chunks into the bars. I find my method much easier. You need to press the mixture quite firmly into the pan so the bars hold together. Also, the honey mixture needs to be cooked just until the sugar dissolves. I recommend setting the timer. For me the magic number was 3 minutes. If the bars are crumbly – cook the mixture a little longer next time. Make sure the cereal are evenly coated with the honey mixture.
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- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 3 and 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cup crispy rice cereal
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate small chunks or mini chips
- 3/4 cup raisins
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Line a 9" x 13" baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, stir together oats, rice cereal and raisins.
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Place butter, honey and brown sugar in a medium saucepan.
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Bring to boil, stirring occasionally.
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Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Stir often.
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Take of the heat and stir in vanilla.
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Pour the mixture over the cereal. Stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula to coat the cereal evenly.
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Scrape the cereal-honey mixture into the pan. Sprinkle with chocolate. Press evenly onto the pan.
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Press firmly with a metal spatula.
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Let set for at least 2 hour.
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Cut into 12 to 14 bars. Wrap bars in parchment paper.
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Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks.
Related recipes:
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies
Fruit on the Bottom Bruleed Oatmeal
Jackee says
I tried to make this without the brown sugar and put a tad more honey (and a bit of coconut oil hoping that would help it stick) instead and they wont stick together. 🙁 Is the brown sugar that important?? Might you have any suggestions what I could do instead of sugar? Im ok with maple or honey as sweetner, but i’m trying to cut sugar from my family’s diet! Love the recipe, I am eating my failed bars out of a jar with a spoon as I type this… 😉
Thanks! 🙂
Sabrina says
I’ve made these multiple times now for groups and parties. It is a huge hit. I substitute peanut butter for the butter to make it a bit healthier sometimes. They are more sticky and less “chewy” but still delicious. Awesome aweosme recipe. Thank you!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Sabrina! Thank you so much for letting me know! I am so happy to hear that you are enjoying the bars! We love them too! I love that you made the PB version!
wmakini says
Ok so I made the bars today with the peanut butter. I also added 1/8 cup ground flax seeds, 1/4 cup each of sunflower and pumpkin seeds and 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots. The bars are delicious! I like the texture even more than the original recipe; it is still chewy but a little firmer. The peanut butter flavor is an added bonus. Now I have two new chewy granola bar recipes…lol.
CrunchyCreamySw says
lol I love it!!! I am so glad that the PB version came out so great! I love your additions too. I will have to try it! Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your thoughts!!
wmakini says
I have made these twice since running into your blog about a week ago. My daughter took half the batch each time. I’m wondering can I add peanut butter and if so how much? Also if adding peanut butter do I omit the 1/2 cup butter? This bars are delicious and the combinations endless, making another batch with pumpkin, chia, and sunflower seeds. Oh yeah maybe some dried apricots…hmmm…lol.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi! I am so glad you made the bars! My kiddos love them too. 🙂 I have substituted PB for butter in many of my recipes so I would say it should work. You can do 1/4 c butter plus 1/4 c PB. I will try this myself too and write an update on this version in the post. Let me know how it goes! Thank you so much for the comment!!
wmakini says
Thanks for reply! I will trying the PB and butter combo this week will let you know outcome!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Pamela! I am so happy you made these bars! They are a favorite in our family too! Yes,they will soften in room temperature. And will be so delicious! Thank you so much for letting me know how you like them!
Nancy says
I’ve been meaning to make my own granola bars for years! Now’s the time to do it and I should start with your yummy recipe. These look fantastic, Anna!
Allie says
These look great, I’d love to whip up a batch for my kiddos. Pinning! 😉
Rochelle says
I soooo need these in my life. I love chewy granola bars
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Anna, I love this recipe and I like how you offered plenty of options. Granola bars are the best! Of course, I’d add dried cranberries to mine. 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
These look like the best treat to have on hand!! Love all the add in options 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Zainab!
Diane says
I need to make a batch of these FAST!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Diane!
Brunch Time baker says
I love the simplicity of these bars. they are great for snacking at work!
CrunchyCreamySw says
You will love them! Thanks!
Gintare @Gourmantine says
These bars look incredible and the possibilities for variations… are just endless! I think chia seeds could work great in these too!
CrunchyCreamySw says
I will have to add chia seeds next time! Love it! Thanks, Gintare!
Phillip says
These looks sooooo good! Great snack for me to take to work.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Phillip!
Anna Nienhuis says
I am all about chewy granola bars, and love how healthy these are! My go-to have sweetened condensed milk, so these are a good healthier option 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
And a huge hit with kids! Thanks, Anna!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thanks, Amanda!
Kate@Diethood says
You had me at raisins. And chocolate. 😉 Chewy granola bars are the best!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Agreed! Thanks, Kate!
Jean | Lemons & Anchovies says
I’m with you and your husband about chewy granola bars. These are perfect!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Yay! Thanks, Jean!
Curry and Comfort says
You said my magic words… no bake. 🙂 LOL! These do look lovely… I love a chewy granola bar. 🙂
CrunchyCreamySw says
lol Thank you, Ramona!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I am all about no-bake. Chewy granola bars are a must. These look wonderful.
CrunchyCreamySw says
Agreed! Thanks, Jennie!
Jocelyn says
I agree with you on the chewy granola bars being the best! I can’t do crunchy bars at all. Love the raisins in yours!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Thank you, Jocelyn!