Granola Bars – A quick and easy homemade granola bar recipe that is so much better than store bought!
My 6 year old takes cold lunch almost every day to school. I am always on the look out for healthier snacks and treats I can put in his lunch. The kid would live on crackers for snacks if I would let him. He is hit or miss with the store bought granola bars, so I have been on a mission to make a healthy homemade granola bar that he will eat. Well I have done it! He has even asked that he have this for the dessert in his lunch! If you follow me on Facebook you may remember me mentioning these the other day. They are super addicting, I was having a hard time staying away from them! Kind of defeats the purpose of a healthier snack if you eat twice as much 🙂
Tropical Traditions sent me a giant jar of coconut oil to try out. That stuff is amazing! I have used coconut oil in the past, and the smell is just wonderful. You get a hint of coconut in what you are making, which is perfect this time of year when everyone is longing for warmer weather. I decided to make homemade granola bars with the coconut oil, instead of butter. Best. Decision. Ever. (OK, maybe not EVER, but you get the idea) Seriously, pick up a jar today and make these!
I have made quite a few homemade granola bars over the past few years; some healthier than others. But these have become by far my favorite recipe. Check out the video I made just to show you who easy they are! I have cut back on the chocolate over the years, and they are just as good! So mix it up a little and try these homemade granola bars for you or your kids soon!
Granola Bars

Quick an easy granola bars you can make at home. Way better than the store bought kind.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan heat oil, peanut butter, and honey over a medium heat.
- Once melted and fully combined mix in the oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir until the chocolate chips are melted.
- Spread into a lined 8x8 pan.
- Put in fridge until completely set.
- Cut into squares. Store in fridge.
Notes
Adapted from Marathon Mom
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 207Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 53mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 2gSugar 11gProtein 4g

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Kari (Craftinomicon) says
I am making some of these today for my husband. He is a Personal Trainer and always needs quick snacks that aren’t full of preservatives.
Kiri W. says
Oooh, yum. I love this kind of bar to death! 🙂
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
These are awesome, Erin! I love how chocolatey they are! I really need to get my hands on a jar of coconut oil!!
Kim Bee says
This is such a great treat to make for kids and adults alike. Great work Erin.
Sandra's Easy Cooking says
What a great idea for school snack or lunch dessert! Well done sweetie, they look fantastic and very tasty! Congrats on well deserved top 9!!!
Karen says
These look divine but our schools are peanut free here, I guess in some places you can still pack peanut butter in school lunch.
cille says
Sorry to say it, but, there is nothing healthy about them.. chocolate sugar and fat.. boom and 10 kg is back on the stomach
Kristi Rimkus says
I love that you’re making him granola bars instead of purchasing them. You never know what they put in the store bought bars. Have a good week!
Tiffany says
Healthy AND simple?!?!? Yes, please! And congrats on making Top 9!
Maggie @ kitchie coo says
Woo hoo!! Congrats on your top 9! This recipe is SO deserving of that, they look delicious! Great job Erin!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
These look amazing Erin! No wonder they made it to the Top 9! Congrats!
Elies_Lie says
I love granolla bar, and this just makes me craving erin…
no wander ur son love it, the pic just how up how the bar is so irrisistable for kids and adult!
Tq for sharing, love to know that know ur son have another snack for his lunch… and congratz for the top 9 today! 😉
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
Oh wow, those do look amazing; even I think so. I would be eating more than the allotted amount for sure and I’m not sure if any would make it to Dudette’s lunch box!
kateylady says
Can you (or anyone) recommend a good substitute for coconut oil? These sound fantastic, but I totally hate coconut. It makes me want to barf… 🙁
Erin says
The original recipe called for butter, so that would work very well.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
This looks delicious! I’ve never used coconut oil before but I saw it in the supermarkets and wondering how I can use up everything. This recipe sounds so good. I’m keeping this in case I decide to buy coconut oil. I love coconut, so I totally should, right? 😉
Alyssa says
I’ve made granola bars before, but they never looked as good as yours and my kids wouldn’t touch them. It’s always a winner in my book if my kids ask for something I’ve made 🙂
Ally says
Wow, these sound amazing! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.com
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist says
I love coconut oil now too! It smells so good that I don’t mind “accidentally” getting it all over my hands while I’m baking!
I’ve been on such a granola kick lately, that your bars look right up my alley. I made chocolate granola that I could not stop eating: http://cupcakesaremylife.blogspot.com/2012/01/rich-chocolate-healthy-granola.html
Sally says
i am ALWAYS on the hunt for new granola bar recipes! i posted a couple peanut butter banana ones on my blog. I’ve never made them with coconut oil/chocolate though. YUM!
Girls En Ville says
Hi There!
I just found this recipe after signing up for Hellocotton!!! I cant wait to try it later on today to make for my boyfriend to take to work! Please look for the recipe posting soon, and I will of course link it back to you!
Please check at http://www.girlsenville.blogspot.com
Thanks! Megan (1/2 of Girls En Ville)
Cathy says
My son is allergic to peanut butter, do you think i could substitute the peanut butter for something else? Thanks for your help.
Erin says
Is he allergic to all nuts? Almond Butter would work well. Sunbutter would be equally as good. I also have a recipe for Biscoff Granola Bars (https://dinnersdishesanddesserts.com/biscoff-granola-bars/) that doesn’t have any kind of nut products. Hope you enjoy!
hawnee says
Just made them! Soooooooooooo good and easy! I didn’t add the extra chocolate and are still very sweet so might even cut back on the honey next time! I a
So used almond butter.. I might add some chia seeds too!
Michele @ Flavor Mosaic says
These sound awesome. Right up our alley. I’m pinning these to try later.