Chewy Fruit & Nut Granola Bars
Homemade chewy fruit & nut granola bars! These simple bars are easy to make, perfectly sturdy and absolutely delicious. Packed with raw nuts, seeds and dried cranberries, they’re flavorful and hearty. Dairy free, gluten free and freezer friendly.
Today we chat about these thick and chewy fruit & nut granola bars. Perfectly sturdy, freezer friendly and a fantastic on the go snack.
So. Here’s the deal.
Three years ago I decided to create this recipe as a homemade version of these awesome soft and chewy fruit & nut granola bars that they sold at our local Whole Foods. I was mildly obsessed with said bars, which they conveniently always placed in little baskets at the checkout section.
It took me oh so many attempts but I finally nailed down the recipe that you are seeing here today. Which I think is pretty darn similar in taste to the version that they sold.
So, discuss how they go down.
We start with a mix of oats, oat bran, a litttttle bit of ground cinnamon, dried cranberries and then a whole array of raw nuts and seeds.
We bind it together with a combo of creamy almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla and … the key ingredient … brown rice syrup (which I explain down below). It all gets pressed into a baking dish and is baked off to golden brown snack-time perfection.
Tips & Tricks For These Fruit and Nut Granola Bars
- The brown rice syrup really is the key ingredient to keeping these bars nice and sturdy. While the almond butter also helps with this, the brown rice syrup is super important. So please don’t try to sub it out with something else. Trust me, I’ve tried these bars with all honey and / or maple syrup and they just don’t bind as well. Capeesh? Cool.
- Now, let’s talk about where you can play around with these bars. Feel free to use different nuts and seeds, or even other dried fruit in place of the cranberries. One caveat? Keep the overall amount of mix-ins the same (otherwise it could throw off the recipe).
- To keep these bars vegan, use additional brown rice syrup in place of the two tablespoons honey. I like the touch of different flavor the honey adds, but the brown rice syrup works in a pinch.
- Let’s chat storage. I personally prefer to keep these bars in the fridge (which extends their shelf life and makes them even sturdier). But you can also keep them at room temp.
- And finally, I like to wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap – no matter where I am planning on storing them. Perfect for grab and go! I would also highly encourage you to wrap them individually in plastic wrap if planning to freeze (after wrapping, store them in a freezer-safe baggie or container in your freezer). When ready to enjoy, just move as many bars as you’d like to the fridge to thaw out.
Additional Oat Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Chewy Cranberry Orange Granola Bars
- Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies
- Lemon Blueberry Quinoa Granola
- Spiced Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars
- Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.
Chewy Fruit and Nut Granola Bars
Homemade chewy fruit & nut granola bars! These simple bars are easy to make, perfectly sturdy and absolutely delicious. Packed with raw nuts, seeds and dried cranberries, they’re flavorful and hearty. Dairy free, gluten free and freezer friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup oat bran
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup raw cashews, chopped
- ¼ cup raw walnuts, chopped
- ¼ cup slivered almonds
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil*
- ¼ cup creamy almond butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup brown rice syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper (cutting a big enough piece so that it hangs over the edges on two sides). Lightly mist with olive oil or nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, oat bran, cinnamon, salt, cranberries, pepitas, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, cashews, walnuts and almonds until well combined.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the coconut oil, almond butter, vanilla, honey and brown rice syrup until well combined.
- Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until well combined (it will be a very thick mixture). Dump into the prepared baking pan and press firmly into an even layer.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Once completely cool, use the parchment overhang to lift from the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares.
- Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I like to wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap - perfect for grab and go!
Notes
*Melt the coconut oil first then measure out the correct amount, otherwise you may use too much.
Feel free to cut the bars however large you would like. In the pictures, I cut them into rectangles and got about 8 large bars.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 193Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 98mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 4g
Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.
I was just wondering what to do with the last of my brown rice syrup! I have just enough for these granola bars! They aren’t going to last long around here!
These look totally delish and I’m all about stocking up with them! I’ve never used brown rice syrup before, but I’ll have to look for it now! Thanks for finally sharing your recipe! 🙂
I definitely eat a lot of bars and always have store-bought protein & granola bars around just because they’re so convenient. But homemade is always the best! I will have to try this recipe out!
I was the same with Granola bars, it took me years to find a recipe I was happy with. I don’t know why but it seems a lot of bloggers, myself included struggle to find the perfect recipe. I can’t wait to give these beauties a try 😀
Right?? It’s amazing just how tricky they can be until you find what works! Thanks Emma!!
Yum! These look so good!! I’m always on the hunt for healthier snacks to take to work so I will have to try these!!
These are my kind of granola bars…truly! I love ’em chewy and packed with seeds, cranberries, etc. I’m glad you finally got them here and I’m dying to try them!
Whole Foods!!!! You know I went on their website numerous times since living here and requested a store be located here? Lol. I’m a werido, I know. But seriously, I have requested a whole foods and a target to no avail. We need to get together and come up with some ideas of how to get said stores here!! Oh, you know I could also go for a good sushi restaurant here too while we are at it. lol. Anyways, I’ve never had the granola bars you are talking about at WF, BUT I’m fairly certain yours taste better, because hello, homemade ALWAYS tastes better! PLUS, these look amazing!!! So glad you finally decided to share these! Gimme gimme! Cheers, sweets! <3
Bahaha I’ve done the same!! (ahem, after the husband told me to stop complaining that there isn’t one here and try to do something about it lol) And what I would do for a Target too! I hate making the 1 1/2 hour trip when I really need to go!
I so need to start making my own granola bars!! These ones look pretty perfect to me! I’m glad you finally decided to share the recipe with us, haha! Also, I’m the worst at impulse buys, they get me every single time 🙂
Homemade granola bars are always a favorite of mine, and these look perfect! I’ve never had the Whole Foods version, but I can bet that these are way better. I love the chewiness to these, too! Such a perfect breakfast or snack!
Thanks so much Gayle!
Excellent recipe, Ashley! These granola bars are perfect treat, especially for people who work. Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
I think subbing that should be fine for the 2 tablespoons. Or you can just use all brown rice syrup as I mentioned!
I know EXACTLY what bars you’re talking about and they are fantastic! I need to get my hands on some brown rice syrup so I can make these soon!
Yess! I’m glad someone knows what bars I’m talking about! haha
With lots of nuts and seeds, these granola bars have to be delicious! Love that you used oat bran here for extra fiber!
I think it’s awesome that you’ve been sitting on this recipe for 3 years! As bloggers it’s so easy for us to fall into the trap of posting a recipe just to have something to post. But it shows that you’re truly committed to getting it right when you’re willing to put it on the back burner and take your time with testing it. I’m trying to get better with this but it can be so hard!
Anyway, they look perfect! Definitely worth picking up some brown rice syrup for. 🙂
Makes me wonder what other fabulous recipes you’re sitting on and “hiding” from us, Ashley! ; )
These look perfectly made. I eat granola bars a couple of times a week (it’s goes in phases, I notice) and I really ought to make some myself! I just needed a stellar recipe…well, looks like I got one!
haha I still have a bunch – but I’m trying to slowly work on getting them up!! 🙂
I’m amazed that you were able to keep these beauties secret for three whole years, but I feel ya on the recipe bank, girl! I’m in the same habit and I’m trying to slowly but surely follow through on posting past work, lol!
These look sooooo tasty! I love granola bars, and these look absolutely perfect. I’ve only made them homemade one time, and thinking they need to become a more regular part of my life. Bravo!
Oh gosh me too! And then you know, replace them with things that are newer (because I just can’t let go of my bank lol).