These homemade granola bars get their power from flax seeds.

I’m a big fan of making your own granola bars. First, because you can control the ingredients which means healthier choices for your little ones. Second, it’s an easy way to stretch your grocery budget. Homemade granola bars are a fraction of the cost of the bars you’d buy in the box. Better for you and your budget. Love it!

homemade granola bars | 52 new foods challenge | jennifer tyler lee | 4

Homemade granola bars are fun to make together and can easily be modified to feature your favorite fixings. When you’re done cutting the bars, the rimmed baking sheet will be filled with yummy chunks of granola. Perfect for sprinkling over yogurt parfaits!

homemade granola bars | 52 new foods challenge | jennifer tyler lee | 3

Homemade Granola Bars Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Makes 12 bars

Ingredients for Homemade Granola Bars:

4 cups rolled oats
¼ cup flaxseed meal
¼ cup whole wheat all-purpose flour
½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup grapeseed oil
½ cup honey
¼ cup of maple syrup
1 cup dark chocolate chips (or dried fruit like cranberries or cherries)

Directions for Homemade Granola Bars:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flaxseed meal, flour, coconut, cinnamon, and salt.

3. Add the oil, then the honey and maple syrup to the dry mixture. Stir to combine.

4. Add the chocolate chips and mix well.

5. Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment, then use an offset spatula to firmly press the granola mixture into the pan. Be sure to press hard or the bars will fall apart when you cut them.

6. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. The mixture will still be soft to the touch when you take it out of the oven.

7. Cool, then cut into bars.

Cook Together: Let your kids combine the ingredients and press the mixture into the pan with their hands. Tip: Add the oil, then the honey, using the same measuring cup. The oil will make it easy for the honey to slip right off into the mixing bowl.

Keep Trying: We tried several recipes for homemade granola bars before landing on one that we liked. Some of our recipes were too crumbly, others too chewy. You may have a similar experience as your kids try new ingredients in their mix. Instead of getting frustrated, view it as an opportunity to experiment.

Pin It! Homemade Granola Bars

Pin our recipe for Homemade Granola Bars. For more kid-friendly snack ideas, check out our Healthy Snacks board on Pinterest.

homemade granola bars | 52 new foods challenge | jennifer tyler lee | pinterest

Homemade Granola Bars
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Snack
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 4 cups rolled oats
  • ¼ cup flaxseed meal
  • ¼ cup whole wheat all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup grapeseed oil
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup of maple syrup
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips (or dried fruit like cranberries or cherries)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flaxseed meal, flour, coconut, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Add the oil, then the honey and maple syrup to the dry mixture. Stir to combine.
  4. Add the chocolate chips and mix well.
  5. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment, then using an offset spatula firmly press the granola mixture into the pan. Be sure to press hard or the bars will fall apart when you cut them.
  6. Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. The mixture will still be soft to the touch when you take it out of the oven.
  7. Cool, then cut into bars.