Description
These Crispy Honey Nut Granola Bars are a perfect homemade snack combining toasted oats, nuts, honey, and dried fruits for a delicious and nutritious treat. With a crunchy texture and natural sweetness, they’re great for breakfast on the go or a midday pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ⅔ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crisp rice cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies)
- ¾ cup dried fruit (cranberries, diced apricots, blueberries, currants, etc.)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil to prepare for toasting.
- Toast Nuts and Oats: Spread the oats, walnuts, and almonds on the prepared baking sheet and toast in the oven for 7 minutes. Then add the shredded coconut, toss well, and toast for another 4 to 5 minutes until the coconut is golden but not burnt.
- Make Honey Mixture: While the oat mixture is toasting, combine honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk and bring the mixture to a rapid boil, then turn off the heat and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: After removing the oat mixture from the oven, reduce oven temperature to 300°F. In a large bowl, mix the toasted oat mixture, honey mixture, rice cereal, and dried fruits until well combined.
- Form and Bake Bars: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with the reserved foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the granola mixture evenly in the dish, pressing down firmly with a spatula. Bake at 300°F for 20 to 23 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and Cut: Remove from oven and let cool completely for 1 to 1½ hours. Using the foil edges, lift the granola slab out onto a cutting board and slice into rectangles with a sharp knife.
- Store Properly: Store granola bars in a single layer in an airtight container or wrap individually with aluminum foil for up to one week at room temperature. For longer storage, freeze in airtight containers with layers separated by parchment or foil for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute your preferred nuts and seeds while maintaining the ratio of dry to wet ingredients.
- To add chocolate chips, sprinkle them on top after baking instead of mixing them in to avoid melting.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before toasting nuts to avoid burning.
- The granola bars freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw to room temperature before eating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: granola bars, honey nut bars, healthy snack, homemade granola, crunchy granola bars, baked granola bars
