Healthy Granola Bars

These healthy granola bars are quick and easy to make. Packed with nuts and seeds; they are perfect for breakfast on the go and great to eat post work out.

I’ve been trying to incorporate more plant based foods into my diet and these healthy granola bars blend so many different nuts and seeds into each and every bar. Nuts and seeds are full of protein and other nutrients and oftentimes can be overlooked in our daily diets.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

nut bars

These healthy homemade granola bars will the beat those wrapped store-bought versions any day. They’re chewy, sweet, nutty, and are filled with clean ingredients. One thing I love about this recipe is that you can customize it to suit your tastes.

nut bars stacked on wood board

Are Granola Bars Healthy?

Generally, granola bars can be viewed as a nutritious and healthy snack but careful not to be deceived. Not all granola bars are created equal.

When chocolate chips, marshmallows, processed sugars and preservatives are added, it changes the health benefits. Some granola bars can be more like eating a candy bar so watch out. The best type of granola bars incorporate simple nut, seed and fruit base. Minimal sugar and fillers is key to a healthy granola bar.

nut bars

Health Benefits of Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are good sources of protein, healthy fats, fibers, vitamins and minerals. Nuts and seeds contain unsaturated fats and other nutrients that provide protective effects against heart disease 

They are loaded with antioxidants and beneficial fiber and may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Nuts have strong anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides

nut bars with glass of milk

The great thing about these easy granola bars is that you can create them to your own taste. Incorporating different nuts, seeds and dried fruit makes these perfect to make them to your own taste. These are the ingredients I used to create this exact recipe, but feel free to add or take away according to your liking.

  • Almonds – contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E. 
  • Pumpkin Seeds – good source of antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, and unsaturated fats.
  • Sunflower Seeds – antioxidants like vitamin E, healthy fats, B vitamins, and copper and other minerals.
  • Cashews – protein, as well as several minerals, including copper, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
  • Chia Seeds – rich in fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and plant-based protein.
  • Slivered Almonds – contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E. 
  • Dried Cranberries – potassium and calcium
  • Shredded Unsweetened Coconut – protein and fiber and minerals like iron, manganese, copper, magnesium.
  • Maple Syrup – source of antioxidants.
  • Cinnamon – help lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors, and reduce inflammation.

Make Your Own Healthy Granola Bars

These have to be one of the easiest things I have ever made and my family devoured them. Honestly, I wasn’t sure the response I was going to get from these since they are nuts, seeds and with a touch of maple syrup. The family loved them!

  1. Prep – Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix – Toss and mix all the nuts, dried fruit and seeds in a bowl.
  3. Combine – Stir together the vanilla extract and maple syrup in a separate small bowl. Then pour the liquid over the nuts and give it all a stir, until it’s well coated.
  4. Flatten – Pour the mixture into a baking pan and flatten into an even layer using a large spoon.
  5. Bake & Cool – Let it bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Let cool.
  6. Slice & Serve – Once the mixture is cooled, slice into bars.
  7. Dip – Melt chocolate with coconut oil and dip the bars.
nut bars on wood cutting board with glass of milk

Healthy Granola Bar Tips

Here are some tips and tricks I found to ensure these bars come out perfect…or as perfect as possible.

  1. The bars are too soft –  baking them longer will ensure maple syrup caramelizes and hardens when it cools. Every oven is different so baking them longer next time will fix this issue.
  2. Use a sharp knife – Careful not to saw the bars as this will break them apart. Use a sharp knife and some pressure to cut.
  3. Let them COOL – This is critical. These bars need to cool far about an hour at room temperature before slicing them. If you want perfectly sliced bars let them cool and set up.

Storing Granola Bars

These granola bars will keep up for a week in the fridge or even two months in the freezer. If you do freeze them, allow them to thaw at room temperature for about 15minutes before eating.

After you slice the bars, transfer them to airtight containers to be stored in the fridge or freezer. I highly recommend placing a sheet of parchment paper in between layers to prevent them from sticking together.

The Little Bits

After cutting the bars there will be some extra bits and pieces that have broken off. Don’t throw out all that goodness. Get a nice glass jar or even a plastic bag and store those pieces to use on yogurt or enjoy as a bowl of granola with fresh fruit on top. Use all the pieces you can.

Amazon Storefront

Follow my Amazon Storefront to find more looks for less and all our finds!

Sources

Weck Canning Jars

Wood Cutting Board

Variations to Use

The great thing about these bars is that you can customize them to suit your taste or add in something extra. Just ensure that the nut/seed ratio balances the maple syrup or they will be too dry or have too runny.

  • Change the nuts to a variety of your choosing.
  • If seeds bother your digestion; leave them from the recipe.
  • Replace the dried cranberries for raisins or another dried fruit such as apricots.
  • Add 1-2 tbsp Hemps seeds.
bars with dark chocolate

Follow along: Instagram | Pinterest | LiketoKnowit

nut bars

Healthy Granola Bars

Yield: 12 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

These healthy granola bars are quick and easy to make. Packed with nuts and seeds; they are perfect for breakfast on the go and great to eat post work out.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Almonds
  • 2 cups Cashews
  • 1 cup Slivered Almonds
  • 1 cup Sunflower Seeds
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Seeds
  • 1/2 cup Chia Seeds
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup dried Cranberries
  • 3/4 cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 TBSP Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 Bar of Dark Chocolate (for dipping)
  • 1 tsp Coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Combine all the nuts, seeds and dried coconut into a bowl and mix.
  4. Add the dried cranberries and toss.
  5. Stir in the ground cinnamon and toss all dry ingredients to combine.
  6. Pour in the maple syrup and stir all the ingredients to combine.
  7. Add all the ingredients to the prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until tops are golden brown.
  9. Allow bars to cool untouched for an hour.
  10. Using a sharp knife cut them into bars
  11. Dip each bar into dark chocolate (optional)
  12. Add to a container and

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment if you made this recipe

Love this Post? Share It!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.