Healthy Homemade Granola Bars are easy to make and SO delicious! You're going to want to save this recipe for our crunchy and slightly sweet granola bars studded with dried blueberries, cranberries and mini chocolate chips. Don't let that fool you, these bars are loaded with good nutrition, including chia and flax seeds among other ingredients.
Today's Blueberry Cranberry Granola Bars recipe has been sponsored by Barlean's. #SnackWithBarleans #ad
I’m very excited to be a part of the Barlean’s Blogger Program. Their products are amazing and a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.
Being a mom can be tough. It's a 24/7 job that can be pretty thankless. It's so easy to become overwhelmed as a mom, and that's why it's so important to have a support system around you.
My family is really incredible, but they're not close enough to help with the last-minute mini-crisis moments that can put you over the edge. Luckily, I have found an fantastic group of friends - fellow moms that are just trying to be the best moms they can be, while still staying sane.
Are granola bars really healthy?
Many store bought granola bars contain a lot of sugar and can actually have as much fat and calories as candy bars! Making your homemade granola bars means you can control exactly what goes into them. I love this recipe because they are a good source of fiber and super convenient, too.
Why I Use Barlean's Products:
Barlean's has so many amazing products for a healthy lifestyle, and I use their Omega Swirls almost every day. This month we're talking about Coconut Oil, Flax Oil, and their Energy Blend, which come together so nicely with chopped pecans, oats, dried blueberries and cranberries and a few other ingredients. Here's a little more info for you...
- Barlean's Flax Oil is a pure and unrefined source of plant-based, vegetarian Omega-3 fatty acids.
- The Energy Blend provides a potent combination of nutrients from whole superfoods to power your active lifestyle. It is formulated with traditional energy-producing Panax ginseng, along with organic flaxseed, chia seed, and coconut, Energy Blend is a nutritional powerhouse of Omega-3 (ALA), antioxidants and fiber.
- Barlean's Organic Culinary Coconut Oil is flavorless and will not affect the taste of foods, so it's great to cook with. Coconut oil does not contain any trans fat (the unhealthy kind). It is semi-solid at room temperature and liquid when warm.
Shopping List:
- Rolled Oats
- Pecans
- Honey
- Barlean's Coconut Oil
- Light Brow Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
- Dried Cranberries and Blueberries
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Barlean's Flax Oil
- Barlean's Energy Blend
When I thought about what recipe I wanted to develop for Barlean's this month, I thought of my friend Katie and knew she and her family would love them! I was right. After I dropped them off, she called to tell me that her boys gobbled them right up.
How to Make Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9x9 square baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease with coconut oil.
- Toast the oats and pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 5 minutes. Stir and bake another 5 minutes until toasted lightly to bring out the flavor. Use the parchment paper to transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the Barlean's Energy Blend and set aside.
- Combine the coconut oil, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Stir until the coconut oil melts and the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add the flax oil and vanilla extract.
- Pour the coconut oil mixture over the toasted oats and pecans. Mix well. Let cool about 5 minutes before adding the dried fruit and mini chocolate chips. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared 9x9 pan and use the back of a spatula to firmly press the mixture into the pan. Pack the mixture down tightly to ensure that they will stick together.
- Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours. Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and set them onto a cutting board. Cut into 12 pieces.
Granola Bar Recipes Variations:
- Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
- Instead of pecans, use chopped almonds or walnuts.
- Add ¼ cup of sunflower or chia seeds.
- Swap out the dried blueberries and/or cranberries for other dried fruit like apricots, raisins, or mangos.
Note about variations: If you add additional ingredients like nuts or seeds, you may need to add a little more liquid to help keep the correct ratio between wet and dry ingredients.
More Recipes with Barlean's
I have developed a lot of recipes for Barlean's over the last few years. Here are some of my favorites:
- Pineapple Cranberry Smoothie
- Chocolate Chip No Bake Energy Balls
- Blueberry Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Almond Sea Salted Popcorn
- Almond Coconut Granola Bars
More Delicious Granola Bar Recipes
Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
The whole family will love these crunchy, slightly sweet granola bars. They make a great snack anytime of day!
Blueberry Cranberry Granola Bars Recipe
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Equipment
- Parchment Paper
- 9x9 baking pan
Ingredients
- 2-½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup Barlean's coconut oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup dried blueberries
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon Barlean's flax oil
- 2 tablespoons Barlean's Energy Blend Flax, Chia, Coconut, Panax Ginseng
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9x9 square baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease with coconut oil.
- Toast the oats and pecans on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 5 minutes. Stir and bake another 5 minutes until toasted lightly to bring out the flavor. Use the parchment paper to transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the Barlean's Energy Blend and set aside.
- Combine the coconut oil, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Stir until the coconut oil melts and the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add the flax oil and vanilla extract.
- Pour the coconut oil mixture over the toasted oats and pecans. Mix well. Let cool about 5 minutes before adding the dried fruit and mini chocolate chips. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared 9x9 pan and use the back of a spatula to firmly press the mixture into the pan. Pack the mixture down tightly to ensure that they will stick together.
- Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours. Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and set them onto a cutting board. Cut into 12 pieces.
Notes
Granola Bar Recipes Variations:
- Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
- Instead of pecans, use chopped almonds or walnuts.
- Add ¼ cup of sunflower or chia seeds.
- Swap out the dried blueberries and/or cranberries for other dried fruit like apricots, raisins, or mangos.
Phoebe S says
I love making my own granola bars! I never thought of using dried blueberries though, I can't wait to try these.
Brenda says
I like the idea of using coconut oil instead of butter for these granola bars! Thanks for the give away 🙂
Ang Paris says
good luck!
Penny Sullivan says
They look amazing!