Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
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.
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 extended 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.
Ingredients
- Rolled Oats
- Pecans
- Honey
- Coconut Oil
- Light Brow Sugar
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
- Dried Cranberries and Blueberries
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Barlean’s Flax Oil
- Barlean’s Energy Blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9×9 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 9×9 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.
Recipe Variations
- Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
- Instead of pecans, use chopped almonds or walnuts.
- Add 1/4 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 Delicious Recipes
- Pineapple Cranberry Smoothie
- Chocolate Chip No Bake Energy Balls
- Blueberry Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Almond Sea Salted Popcorn
- Almond Coconut Granola Bars
More Lunch Box Ideas
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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Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup dried blueberries
- 1/4 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 9×9 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.2-1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup pecans, 2 tablespoons Barlean’s Energy Blend
- 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.1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon Barlean’s flax oil
- 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.1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup dried blueberries, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared 9×9 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.
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
- 9×9 baking pan
Notes
Granola Bar Recipes Variations:
- Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey.
- Instead of pecans, use chopped almonds or walnuts.
- Add 1/4 cup of sunflower or chia seeds.
- Swap out the dried blueberries and/or cranberries for other dried fruit like apricots, raisins, or mangos.
I love making my own granola bars! I never thought of using dried blueberries though, I can’t wait to try these.
good luck!
They look amazing!