Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (Healthy & Homemade)

Name: Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 87 min
Ingredients: 2 cups old-fashioned oats (or gluten-free option); ½ cup raw whole skinned almonds (coarsely chopped); ½ cup raw cashews (coarsely chopped); ½ cup honey (use agave or maple syrup for vegan option); 3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon kosher salt flakes; ½ cup dried apricots (coarsely chopped); ¼ cup dried cranberries; ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips (or dairy-free for vegan)

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These chocolate chip granola bars are healthy, soft, chewy, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. They come together quickly and are perfect for a quick breakfast, lunchboxes, or an easy snack during the day.

Healthy ganola bars spread out on a white surface, surrounded by bowls of dried fruit, and nuts.

I love having these on hand during busy weeks. With five kids, snacks disappear fast, so I try to keep things like this ready in the fridge, and let me tell you, my teenage kids love to snack. These homemade granola bars are easy to make, and I know exactly what’s going into them, which makes me feel a lot better than grabbing store-bought bars.

For more quick, wholesome snacks, try my No-Bake Energy Bites, Peanut Butter Oat Bars, or these Chewy Trail Mix Bars.

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this chocolate chip granola bar recipe. The full quantities are in the recipe card below.

ingredients to make granola bars with chocolate chips.

Old-fashioned oats: Old-fashioned/rolled oats give the best bite (quick oats soften things up too much).
Raw skinned almonds and raw cashews bring a big crunch, healthy fats, creamy richness, and extra protein; they toast up nicely without burning.
Honey: acts as a binder and sweetener; use a good runny one for easy mixing – raw or regular both work.
Coconut oil: Swap with avocado oil if you want a neutral flavor.
Vanilla extract and Kosher salt flakes
Dried apricots and Dried cranberries: or use any other dried fruits you have on hand.
Mini dark chocolate chips: they make little melty pockets of richness.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Here’s how to get perfect chewy bars every time:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the oats, chopped almonds, and cashews over the prepared pan and roast for 12 minutes, stirring halfway.

collage to toast the granola and nuts then adding to a bowl with chopped dried fruits.

Step 2: Once the oats and nuts are lightly toasted, allow them to cool, then transfer to a bowl. In a saucepan, add the honey, coconut oil, and vanilla and heat until warm. Pour the honey mixture over the roasted nuts and oats. Add in the salt, chopped dried fruits, and chocolate chips.

collage to bake the granola bars in a pan and then slicing into bars.

Step 3: Stir very well to combine. The chocolate will melt and help keep the bars together. Press the mixture into an 11×5 in paper-lined loaf pan. Make sure you insist on pressing especially over the center and corners.

Step 4: Freeze for 1 hour, then slice into bars. Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container until ready to serve.

Hand holding up a healthy granola bar above a stack of granola bars.

Variations & Tips

Toss in pumpkin or sunflower seeds with the oats and nuts before toasting for extra crunch and protein.
Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the honey mixture for a warm fall version.
Stir in ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut with the dried fruit for added texture and more tropical flavor.
Mix in a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax with the oats before toasting for an omega-3 boost and extra chew.
Let frozen bars sit at room temp 5-10 minutes for a softer bite; they stay firm straight from the fridge and pack well.

Common Questions

How do I make these granola bars less sweet?

Cut the honey by 1-2 tablespoons. The dried fruit and nuts still bring plenty of natural sweetness and flavor. Taste the mixture before pressing and adjust if needed. You can always use less dried fruit than recommended.

How do I get the granola bars to hold together and not crumble?

Press the mixture as hard as possible into the pan (use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup). Really pack it down, especially in the center and corners, and freeze fully before slicing.

How can I make these granola bars fully vegan?

Replace the honey with an equal amount of maple syrup or brown rice syrup (brown rice syrup binds even better for chewy bars). For the mini dark chocolate chips, use dairy-free/vegan ones (like Enjoy Life brand) – they melt the same way to help hold everything together. The rest of the recipe is already plant-based!

How long do these granola bars last?

They keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, wrap them individually and freeze for up to 3 months.

How do I make it Gluten-free?

For a gluten-free option, use certified gluten-free oats.

Stack of cut healthy granola bars arranged on a white surface, displaying golden toasted edges, oats, nuts, apricots, cranberries, and dark chocolate chips.

More Snack Recipes

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