Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them in stores. They’re super healthy, slightly crunchy with a bit of sweet chocolate in every bite and absolutely delicious!
Why I Make Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Do you know off the top of your head how much money you spend on granola and/or nutritional bars for your kids? Take a minute and add it up. I would bet it’s more than you think! Before you say “they’re convenient”, trust me, I get it. On those busy mornings when you don’t have time for breakfast, there’s nothing easier than tossing a bar into your child’s lunch box and another one into your bag. But, a majority of the brands on the market are not as healthy as their manufacturers would lead you to believe and are way more expensive that making them at home.
I got so fed up with what my we were spending on bars, I devoted myself to figuring out how to make them myself. I worked so hard at it, I even flirted with starting my own bar business! These Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are unbelievably delicious, and if you wrap them individually, they’re just as easy to grab when you’re on-the-go as the ones you buy at the market. Plus, you’ll have no problem pronouncing all of the ingredients in these.
The Ingredients
- old fashioned oats
- whole wheat flour
- shredded unsweetened coconut
- brown sugar
- mini chocolate chips (you can substitute raisins or other dried fruit for the chocolate chips if you want)
- kosher salt
- vegetable, canola, avocado or other oil of choice
- vanilla extract
- honey
*Exact measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below*
Variations and Substitutions
- Don’t have whole wheat flour? No worries! You can use any flour you prefer. All purpose, a cup-for-cup gluten free flour or even almond flour will work. I use whole wheat because it has more health benefits than all purpose, but use what you have on hand.
- Don’t want chocolate chips? If you’re hesitant to give your kids chocolate chips in the morning or for snack time, you can easily substitute them with naturally sweet dried fruit like cranberries, cherries or raisins.
- Not a fan of coconut? I get it. Sometimes people are just don’t love coconut. You can leave it out completely if you want. I will say, you hardly taste it in these, but do what feels best to you.
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars Recipe Video
How to Make Homemade Granola Bars
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, coconut, brown sugar, chocolate chips and salt.
- Combine the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, vanilla extract and honey.
- Make the granola mixture: Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Form a large granola slab: Place the granola mixture on a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and shape into a rectangle about 13 x 9 x 1 inches thick. Press firmly so that the granola sticks together.
- Bake: Bake for 30-40 minutes in a pre-heated 325°F oven.
- Cut into bars: Allow to cool completely then cut into 3 x 1 inch bars.
Storage Tips
You can store granola bars in an airtight container or individually wrapped on the counter for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are my granola bars a crumbly mess? I get this question a lot with these bars. First of all, let the bars cool completely before you try to cut them into bars. Also, using a large serrated knife in a sawing motion (don’t press down super hard) will help you cut them without making them crumble.
- My mixture didn’t stick together. Why? This usually happens for two reasons. One, the wet and dry ingredients weren’t incorporating together thoroughly enough. Next time, mix them really really well so that every piece of the oat mixture gets coated in the honey/oil mixture. Two, when forming the granola rectangle before baking, press everything firmly together so it sticks.
- Can I freeze homemade granola bars? Absolutely! To freeze these chocolate chip granola bars, add them to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 4 months. Just make sure to let them thaw for about 20 minutes before you eat them!
More Healthy Bar Recipes
- Protein Bars
- Protein Cereal Bars
- 5 Ingredient Cereal Bars
- Fruit and Oat Crumble Bars
- Oatmeal On-The-Go Bars
These Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are delicious, healthy, cost effective and so easy to make! You’ve got to give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments. Or tag me on social media and show me yours!
Images by Ivan Solis
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup chocolate chips (You can substitute raisins or other dried fruit for the chocolate chips.)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable, canola, avocado or other oil of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Place granola mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet and shape into a rectangle, about 13 x 9 x 1 inch thick.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely then cut into 3 x 1 inch bars.
My family and myself love these.
Thanks Trisha! We do too. They’re such an easy grab-an-go snack to have on hand!
This is the best recipe for granola bars, hands down!! I have made this many, many times, and they still get gobbled up quickly. They turn out perfect every time!
Glad you love them as much as we do, Jaime! Thanks for commenting 🙂
My kids love these; I’ve probably made this recipe 50 times! Sometimes we do 1/2 C white chocolate chips; 1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips to mix it up. Besides that, the only mod I do is bake at 320 degrees for 35-37 mins so that there is less crunch/more chew, but this is personal preference only, they are great as-is! Thank you for sharing this recipe that has become a regular snack in our home.
So happy you love them!