Soft and Chewy Homemade Granola Bars

Are you a fan of granola bars? If you are, you should make these soft and chewy homemade granola bars by Inspired Taste at home. These are seriously better than anything you can buy from the stores. They are tasty and surprisingly easy to make. Plus, they do not fall apart, unlike other recipes. The honey and sugar act as a binder which keeps the bars together.

RELATED: Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

What I love most about making granola bars at home is that you know all the ingredients they contain and you can customize them however you like. Not a fan of almonds? Change it to your preferred nuts. Don’t like dried cranberries? Use your favorite dried fruit instead. It will only take 30 minutes to prepare the bars but will require 2 hours of chilling before they are ready to serve.

For more granola bars recipe, check these out: No-Bake Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe. One-Bowl Granola Bars Recipe

Easy Homemade Granola Bars Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup of whole almonds (coarsely chopped)
• 1/3 cup of pure honey
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries (coarsely chopped)
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips

How to Make Homemade Granola Bars

Step 1:

Start by preheating the oven to 350F and lining the bottom and sides of an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with parchment paper. Spread the oats and chopped almonds into a separate small baking sheet and then bake for about 5 minutes. Mix then bake for another 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

Step 2:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract and the salt. Cook while stirring occasionally until the mixture is bubbling.

Step 3:

Transfer the butter mixture into the bowl with the toasted oats and almonds and mix until well combined. Set aside and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Fold in the cranberries and 1/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips.

Step 4:

Transfer the oat mixture to the prepare pan and press it using a rubber spatula or damp finger tips. Make sure to press hard to keep them together as they cool.

Step 5:

Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the granola mixture and gently press on top using a rubber spatula. Cover it with a cling wrap, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for about 30 minutes.

Step 6:

Remove from the pan, then take off the parchment paper. Cut it into 12 bars. Enjoy!

Store them in air tight container for a week. If you want them to be soft, keep at room temperature.

Soft and Chewy Homemade Granola Bars