Best 2 Thick Chewy Granola Bars Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a delightful baking adventure with our collection of thick, chewy granola bar recipes. These wholesome treats are packed with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, making them a perfect on-the-go snack or a nutritious breakfast option.

With three tempting variations to choose from, you'll find a flavor combination to satisfy every craving. Our classic granola bar recipe offers a harmonious blend of oats, honey, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. For a nutty twist, try our peanut butter granola bar recipe, which features a generous helping of peanut butter and chopped peanuts. And if you're looking for a fruity delight, our cranberry granola bar recipe combines tangy cranberries, sweet raisins, and crunchy almonds.

Each recipe is carefully crafted with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure your granola bars turn out perfectly. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, you'll find everything you need to create delicious, chewy granola bars that will impress your family and friends. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a baking journey that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

HEALTHY THICK CHEWY GRANOLA BARS



Healthy Thick Chewy Granola Bars image

This was adapted from King Arthur Flour, however I tried to use healthier ingredients. I love this recipe as it is extreamly easy and flexible. This is a basic granola bar that you can add anything to. I try to make this weekly as a quick on the go breakfest or a healthy snack during the day. I've double the recipe and keep extras in the freezer.

Provided by sawanybird

Categories     Breakfast

Time 45m

Yield 6 bars, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 2/3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar (use more for a sweetness if you want it like store bought bars)
1/3 cup oat flour (or 1/3 cup oats, processed till finely ground in a food processor or blender)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
2 -3 cups dried fruits (* aprox 10 to 15 ounces) or 2 -3 cups nuts (* aprox 10 to 15 ounces)
1/3 cup peanut butter (I use almond butter) or 1/3 cup another nut butter (I use almond butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
6 tablespoons butter (melted) or 6 tablespoons margarine (melted)
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons agave syrup (you can use light corn syrup if you do not have agave)
1 tablespoon water

Steps:

  • Pre heat oven to 350°F Line an 8"x8"x2" pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the exposed pan or coat with a non-stick spray.
  • Stir together all the dry ingredients, including the fruit and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, melted butter or margarine, liquid sweeteners, water, and nut butter until smooth. Toss the wet incredients witht eh dry until the mixture is evenly curmbly. Spread in the prepared pan, pressing them in firmly.
  • Bake the bars for 28-35 minutes, until they're lightly browned on the edges. They will still sem soft and underbaked when you press the centre. Let cool fully before cutting in to squares with the serrated knife. I sometimes put them in the freezer befor cutting so the cut smoothly.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or in the freezer.
  • *My favorite add ins are dried cherries, chocolate chips, pecans and seasme seeds. However you can add dried cranberries, apricots, apples, pears, walnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, coconut, or any other dried fruit or nuts. I sometimes even add protien powder or dried greens.

THICK, CHEWY GRANOLA BARS



THICK, CHEWY GRANOLA BARS image

Yield 20 bars

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 2/3 cups quick rolled oats
1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (use more for a sweetness akin to most purchased bars; use less for a mildly sweet bar)
1/3 cup oat flour (or 1/3 cup oats, processed till finely ground in a food processor or blender)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 to 3 cups dried fruits and nuts (total of 10 to 15 ounces)*
1/3 cup peanut butter or another nut butter (I used almond butter) (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, namely because I was not convinced that the flavor came through)
6 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or corn syrup
2 tablespoons light corn syrup (see Note above)
1 tablespoon water

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8″ x 8″ x 2″ pan in one direction with parchment paper, allowing it to go up the opposing sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper and the exposed pan, or coat with a non-stick spray. Stir together all the dry ingredients, including the fruit and nuts. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, melted butter or oil, syrup or honey, and water. Toss the wet ingredients with the dry until the mixture is evenly crumbly. Spread in the prepared pan, shaking the pan to evenly cover the bottom and patting down gently Bake the bars for 30 to 40 minutes, until they're brown around the edges - don't be afraid to get a little color on them. They'll still seem soft and almost underbaked in the center when you take them out but do not worry, they'll set completely once they cool. Cool the bars in their pan completely on a cooling rack. (Alternately, after about 20 minutes you can use your parchment "sling" to lift and remove the bars, and place them in their paper on the rack to cool the rest of the way.) Once cool, a serrated knife (or bench knife) to cut the bars into squares. To store, wrap the bars individually in plastic or stack them in an airtight container. In humid weather, it's best to store bars in the refrigerator. They also freeze well. *Suggestions: Dried cranberries, apricots, pecans, sunflower seeds, coconut, walnuts, sesame seeds, pepitas, dried pples or even chocolate chips. My mix: 1/2 cup wheat germ, 1 cup dried cherries, 1 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup pecans and 1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut flakes. Because my pieces were all pretty coarse, I pulsed them in the food processor a few times to break it up a little, though this isn't necessary if you don't mind yours chunkier.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Gather and measure all ingredients before starting.
  • Use Fresh Oats: Fresh, whole oats provide a better texture than instant or quick oats.
  • Adjust Sweetness: Add more honey or maple syrup if desired, but be mindful of the stickiness.
  • Bind the Bars: The combination of peanut butter and honey helps bind the granola bars together.
  • Press Firmly: Press the granola mixture firmly into the pan to prevent crumbling.
  • Bake Evenly: Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure uniform browning.
  • Cool Completely: Allow the granola bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.
  • Store Properly: Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Conclusion:

These thick and chewy granola bars are a delicious and nutritious snack or breakfast option. With a combination of oats, honey, peanut butter, and dried fruits, they provide a satisfying balance of flavors and textures. Whether you're looking for a quick on-the-go snack or a wholesome treat to enjoy with your family, these granola bars are sure to satisfy. Feel free to experiment with different nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to create your own unique variations.

Related Topics