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Easy Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

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These easy homemade fruit and nut granola bars are a quick, wholesome snack with a perfect chewy crunch, natural fruit sweetness, and toasted nuttiness. Made with simple pantry staples, they are adaptable, delicious, and perfect for on-the-go snacking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) rolled oats (old-fashioned for best chewiness)
  • 1 cup (120g) mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, roughly chopped)
  • 1 cup (140g) dried fruit (chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins, or seasonal options like cherries or blueberries)
  • 1/3 cup (113g) honey
  • 1/2 cup (128g) nut butter (almond or peanut butter, smooth or crunchy)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flaxseeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. Toast the oats and chopped nuts on a baking sheet for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through to avoid burning.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, nut butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Warm nut butter slightly if thick.
  4. Transfer toasted oats and nuts to a large mixing bowl. Add dried fruit and seeds if using. Pour wet mixture over dry and stir until evenly coated.
  5. Press the mixture firmly into the parchment-lined pan using a spatula or lightly wet hands.
  6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are golden and center is set but not hard. Reduce time slightly for softer bars.
  7. Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
  8. Lift granola out using parchment overhang and cut into 8-10 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Toast oats and nuts to enhance flavor and crunch. Press mixture firmly to prevent crumbling. Watch baking time closely to avoid burning. Warm nut butter if thick for easier mixing. Refrigerate bars before cutting if they crumble. Store bars in airtight container; refrigerate in humid climates. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: granola bars, homemade snack, fruit and nut bars, healthy snack, easy granola bars, no refined sugar, chewy granola bars

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-homemade-fruit-and-nut-granola-bars-5-best-snack-recipes/