Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

why make this recipe

These Soft and Chewy Granola Bars are quick to make and taste good. They use simple pantry items and need little time to finish. They are great for snacks, school lunches, or to take on a walk.

introduction

This recipe makes 12 soft, chewy bars with oats, almonds, honey, dried cranberries, and chocolate chips. The bars stay tender but hold together well. If you like easy snack ideas, try a savory option like the air-fryer chicken sausage and veggies recipe for a fast meal.

how to make Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

Follow the steps below. Read all steps first, then start. The bars must chill for at least 2 hours so they set soft and chewy.

Ingredients :

• 2 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup pure honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions :

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Add the oats and chopped almonds to a small baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. Combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts, the mixture bubbles, and the sugar dissolves.
4. Pour the butter mixture into the bowl with toasted oats and almonds. Mix well and let cool for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in the cranberries and 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips.
6. Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared pan, pressing firmly into the pan using a rubber spatula.
7. Scatter the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips over the pressed granola mixture, gently pressing them into the top.
8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
9. Remove the block of granola mixture from the pan and peel away the foil or parchment.
10. Cut into 12 bars.

how to serve Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

Serve bars chilled or at room temperature. They pair well with a glass of milk, yogurt, or fresh fruit. For a small packed lunch, add a piece of fruit and a drink alongside the bar, or serve them with a warm breakfast like the air-fryer chicken sausage and veggies for a heartier meal.

how to store Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Place parchment between layers so they do not stick. For longer storage, freeze bars in a sealed bag for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.

tips to make Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

• Press the mixture very firmly into the pan so the bars hold together.
• Cool 5 minutes before adding chocolate chips to keep them from melting into the mix.
• Look for uniform oat to nut size so the bars cut cleanly.
• Use silicone spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup to press evenly.

variation (if any)

• Swap almonds for pecans or walnuts.
• Use raisins or chopped dates instead of dried cranberries.
• Replace mini chocolate chips with white chips or butterscotch chips.
• For a nut-free version, use sunflower seeds in place of almonds.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these without butter?
A: You can use coconut oil instead of butter. The flavor will change slightly but the bars will still bind.

Q: Are these bars gluten-free?
A: Use certified gluten-free oats to make the bars gluten-free.

Q: Can I bake the whole pan to make them chewier?
A: No need to bake the whole pan. Toasting the oats and almonds is enough. Baking the mixed pan can make bars harder.

Q: How do I stop the bars from crumbling?
A: Press the mix firmly into the pan and chill at least 2 hours. Use a sharp knife to cut clean bars.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes. Use a larger pan and increase chill time if needed.

Ellie

Soft and Chewy Granola Bars

These Soft and Chewy Granola Bars are quick to make, using simple pantry items. Perfect for snacks or school lunches.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 180

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips Plus 2 tablespoons for topping

Wet Ingredients

• ⅓ cup pure honey
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Add the oats and chopped almonds to a small baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Stir and bake another 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

Mixing

1. Combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts, the mixture bubbles, and the sugar dissolves.
2. Pour the butter mixture into the bowl with toasted oats and almonds. Mix well and let cool for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the cranberries and 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips.

Assembling

1. Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared pan, pressing firmly into the pan using a rubber spatula.
2. Scatter the remaining 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips over the pressed granola mixture, gently pressing them into the top.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
4. Remove the block of granola mixture from the pan and peel away the foil or parchment.
5. Cut into 12 bars.

Notes

Press the mixture very firmly into the pan so the bars hold together. Cool 5 minutes before adding chocolate chips to keep them from melting into the mix. Look for uniform oat to nut size for better-cut bars. Use a silicone spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup to press evenly.