Print

Easy Chewy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe Perfect for School Lunchboxes

easy chewy homemade granola bars - featured image
Print Recipe

These easy chewy homemade granola bars are quick to make, use simple ingredients, and hold together well for mess-free school lunchboxes. They offer a perfect balance of nutty, sweet, and chewy textures that kids and adults love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (128g) natural peanut butter (smooth preferred)
  • 1/3 cup (113g) honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup (60g) mini chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (60g) chopped nuts – walnuts or almonds (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal or chia seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Line your 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/3 cup honey. Microwave for about 20 seconds to soften, then stir until smooth.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the wet mixture and mix well.
  4. Stir in 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup chopped nuts (if using), 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal or chia seeds, and 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Transfer the sticky mixture to the prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly into the pan using a spatula or lightly wet hands to ensure a compact, chewy texture.
  6. Chill the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm enough to cut cleanly. Overnight chilling is recommended for best results.
  7. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 10-12 bars with a sharp knife. Keep refrigerated for best texture.

Notes

Press the mixture firmly into the pan to achieve chewy bars instead of crumbly ones. Chill bars thoroughly before cutting for clean slices. Use smooth peanut butter for best texture. For nut-free versions, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and omit nuts. Bars can be baked at 325°F (160°C) for 15 minutes for a crunchier texture, but the recipe is designed as no-bake. Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.

Nutrition

Keywords: granola bars, homemade granola bars, chewy granola bars, school lunch snacks, no bake granola bars, peanut butter granola bars, healthy snacks

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-chewy-homemade-granola-bars-recipe-perfect-for-school-lunchboxes/