Homemade Granola Bars

Makes: 16–20 bars (depending on size)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Why You'll Love These! These homemade granola bars are crunchy, chewy, naturally sweetened, and packed with wholesome ingredients. They're perfect for breakfast on the go, after-school snacks, hiking, or a healthy energy boost before sports.
When my son Marcus was on his high school wrestling team, these were one of my go-to snacks to make for him. They were easy to prepare, packed with wholesome ingredients, and provided a convenient snack he could enjoy before or after practice and competitions. They quickly became a family favorite, and they're still one of my favorite recipes to make today.
One of the best parts? You can create your own flavor combination! Swap the cereal, nut butter, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to make a recipe that's uniquely yours. Every batch can be a new delicious adventure!

Ingredients
Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups Nature's Path Organic Ancient Grains Cereal (or your favorite low-sugar granola)
• ½ cup raw almonds or cashews, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup unsweetened dried apricots or your favorite unsweetened dried fruit, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
• 2 tablespoons hemp hearts (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• ⅓ cup almond butter
• ½ cup agave syrup

For the Pan

• Avocado oil or nonstick cooking spray

Equipment

• 8-inch square baking pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Oven mitts

Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking pan with avocado oil or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine:

• Almond butter
• Agave syrup

Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Add:

• Ancient Grains cereal
• Chopped nuts
• Chopped dried fruit
• Chia seeds (optional)
• Hemp hearts (optional)

Mix until every piece is evenly coated.

Step 4: Press into the Pan
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Using a rubber spatula (or the back of a spoon), press the mixture down firmly into an even layer.
Tip: The more firmly you press the mixture, the better the bars will hold together after baking.

Step 5: Bake
Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges begin turning lightly golden.

Step 6: Cool
Allow the granola bars to cool completely before cutting.
This helps them firm up and makes slicing much easier.
Cut into 16–20 bars or squares.

Build Your Own Granola Bar
Try mixing and matching ingredients to create your own favorite combination!
Choose Your Base

• Ancient Grains cereal
• Low-sugar granola
• Rolled oats
• Crispy brown rice cereal

Choose Your Nut or Seed Butter

• Almond butter
• Peanut butter
• Sunflower seed butter
• Cashew butter

Choose Your Nuts or Seeds

• Cashews
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds

Choose Your Fruit

• Dried cranberries
• Raisins
• Chopped dates
• Unsweetened dried cherries
• Apricots

Add Extra Nutrition

• Chia seeds
• Hemp hearts
• Ground flaxseed
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Cinnamon

Kitchen Skills You'll Practice

• Measuring ingredients
• Mixing wet and dry ingredients
• Knife skills (chopping dried fruit and nuts)
• Baking basics
• Food safety
• Reading a recipe

Food Safety Tip
Always wash your hands before preparing food.
If chopping nuts or dried fruit, keep your fingers curled under ("the claw grip") and always cut on a stable cutting board.
Remember—let the bars cool before cutting to avoid burns.

Nutrition Spotlight
These homemade granola bars provide a balance of:

• Healthy fats from nuts and almond butter
• Fiber from whole grains, fruit, and seeds
• Plant-based protein from nuts, chia seeds, and hemp hearts
• Natural sweetness from agave syrup and dried fruit

Making your own granola bars lets you control the ingredients and reduce added sugars compared to many packaged snack bars.

💡 Cooking with Dianne Tip
There are endless ways to customize these bars! Try a new combination each time you make them and discover your family's favorite. Homemade snacks are a fun way to fuel your body with wholesome ingredients while learning valuable kitchen skills.