Homemade Granola Bars: Chewy, Clean, No Preservatives
Packaged granola bars often contain BHT (E321) or TBHQ (E319) as preservatives, plus multiple sugar sources disguised under different names. This recipe uses oats, honey, and a handful of real ingredients — no preservatives, no mystery syrups.
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Yield
- 12 bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, or sunflower seed)
- 1/2 cup mix-ins: raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Steps
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a small saucepan, combine honey, coconut oil, and nut butter over medium-low heat. Stir until melted and smooth.
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt.
In a large bowl, combine oats and mix-ins.
Pour the wet mixture over the oats and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Press firmly into the prepared pan — use the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass to compact the mixture.
Bake for 20–25 minutes until the edges are golden.
Let cool completely in the pan before cutting — at least 1 hour. Cutting while warm will cause crumbling.
Cut into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Why Make Your Own Granola Bars
Many popular granola bars list sugar, corn syrup, and fructose as separate ingredients — effectively tripling the sugar count. BHT and TBHQ are added to extend shelf life. Homemade bars use honey or maple syrup as the only sweetener and stay fresh for a week at room temperature or a month in the freezer.
Tips and Variations
For extra chewy bars, add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed. For crunchier bars, bake 5 minutes longer. Chocolate chip and peanut butter is the most popular combination. For nut-free lunchboxes, use sunflower seed butter and pumpkin seeds. Toast the oats dry in the oven for 10 minutes before mixing for a deeper flavor.
How This Compares to Packaged Granola Bars
A typical packaged granola bar lists sugar, corn syrup, and fructose as separate ingredients in the first five. BHT or TBHQ appear near the end as preservatives. This recipe has one sweetener (honey), no preservatives, and every ingredient is recognizable. The trade-off is a shorter shelf life and slightly more prep time.
See What's in the Packaged Version
Curious what additives are in the packaged equivalent? Our comparison page breaks down the ingredients to watch, common additives, and better buying rules.
Granola Bars: What's in Packaged Options →