These Homemade Healthy Granola Bars are easy to make and perfect for when you want a healthy snack. These bars can be enjoyed at home or are perfect to take on the go! These granola bars are inspired by Zoë Super Bars for dogs.

sliced homemade granola bars on parchment paper

This recipe is in partnership with Zoë.

Easy Baked Granola Bars

If you’re looking for a healthy mid-day snack to give you energy and fuel you through your afternoon, then these Healthy Homemade Granola Bars are for you!

This granola bar recipe is easy to make and is inspired by Zoë Super Bars for dogs. Zoë is a pet food brand that focuses on healthy natural products for your furry friends.

I received a package of Zoë Super Bars for dogs for my dog Eevie (if you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably “met” her in my stories), which are packed with superfoods like flax seeds, cranberries and blueberries.

Eevie loves her Super Bars so I wanted to create a “human super bar” (aka, granola bars) inspired by the doggie version.

  • granola bars sliced next to a bag of Zoe super bars dog treats
  • zoe pets super bars ingredients

These healthy granola bars are made with oats, flax seeds, dried cranberries and dried blueberries to give you energy, antioxidants and omega-3s.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Healthy ingredients. Unlike many store-bought granola bars that are packed with sugars and additives, these homemade granola bars are made with simple and healthy ingredients you can feel good about.
  • Easy to make. You’ll never need to buy granola bars again once you learn how easy it is to make them yourself right at home!
  • Great for on the go. This granola bar recipe doesn’t need to be refrigerated and is perfect to pack for lunches or snacks on the go.

Healthy granola bar ingredients and substitutions

  • Oats: use rolled oats in this recipe for more texture in the granola bars. Quick oats will also work.
  • Puffed quinoa: if you can’t find puffed quinoa, you can also use puffed rice or just use more oats.
  • Pumpkin seeds: use unsalted pumpkin seeds in this recipe. substitute with any other nuts and seeds.
  • Sunflower seeds: unsalted sunflower seeds work best here too.
  • Flax seeds: you can also use ground flax seeds or chia seeds if you prefer.
  • Dried cranberries: I use no-sugar-added dried cranberries. Use any cranberries or dried fruit you like.
  • Dried blueberries: I also use no-sugar-added dried blueberries.
  • Cinnamon: For flavour. This is optional.
  • Salt: just a pinch to balance out the flavours. If you are using any seeds that are salted, leave out this ingredient.
  • Honey: to sweeten and act as a glue to hold the bars together. You could also use agave syrup or rice syrup.
  • Coconut oil: this will also help coat the bars and make them stick together. You can also use butter.
  • Nut butter: I use almond butter, but peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower seed butter also work well.
  • Vanilla extract: just a touch for flavour

How to make homemade granola bars

Step 1

Optionally toasts the oats and puffed quinoa in the oven, then add them to a bowl with the flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, salt and cinnamon.

  • oats and puffed quinoa in a clear bowl
  • oats, puffed quinoa, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and dried fruit in a clear bowl

Step 2

Mix the honey, coconut oil, nut butter and vanilla extract. Then pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.

  • a bowl of almond butter and honey
  • oats, seeds and dried fruit in a bowl with nut butter poured over it

Step 3

Mix the wet ingredients and dry ingredients together to combine. Then line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and press the granola mixture firmly into the pan.

  • mixed granola in a clear bowl
  • unbaked granola bars in a pan

Step 4

Bake the bars in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into them.

  • baked granola bars in a pan
  • a granola bar with dried fruit and seeds

How to store granola bars

Store these granola bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to two weeks. These bars can also be stored in the fridge, though it’s not necessary.

Expert tips for making these granola bars

  • Customize these bars however you like. You can substitute the seeds in this recipe for any nuts or seeds you love, swap out the dried fruits, or add any other mix-ins you love like chocolate chips.
  • Press the bars firmly into the pan. When I say firmly, I mean FIRMLY. This step is crucial for making the granola bars stick together. It helps to use something (such as a small baking dish) with a flat edge to give you more leverage to press into the pan.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting. If you try to cut the bars before they set, they will crumble and fall apart. Be patient and let the bars sit to cool for at least an hour before you try to cut into them.

Homemade granola bars FAQ

Are granola bars really healthy?

While some store-bought granola bars are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients, homemade granola bars are healthy and made with good-for-you ingredients.

Why did my granola bars fall apart?

If your granola bars fell apart, it’s likely because you didn’t press the mixture into the pan firmly enough or you didn’t let the bars cool before slicing. You need to really pack down the bars in the pan in order for them to stick together. You also need to let the bars cool for at least an hour to set.

Can I freeze these granola bars?

Yes. Place the granola bars in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To defrost let thaw on the counter.

homemade granola bars with oats and puffed quinoa

Try these healthy snack recipes next!

If you tried these Homemade Healthy Granola Bars or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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sliced homemade granola bars on parchment paper

Homemade Healthy Granola Bars

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  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 large or 20 small bars 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These homemade healthy granola bars are made with oats, seeds and dried fruits for a delicious snack!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/2 cup puffed quinoa (can sub puffed rice or more oats)
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp flax seeds
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup dried blueberries
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup nut butter (can sub seed butter)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spread the oats and puffed quinoa onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 7-10 minutes until lightly toasted. (This is optional, but makes the bars tastier!)
  3. Mix the oats, puffed quinoa, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl.
  4. In a separate bowl mix together the honey, coconut oil, nut butter and vanilla extract.
  5. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together.
  6. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and add the granola bar mixture to the pan, spreading evenly in the pan.
  7. Press the granola mixture VERY hard into the pan. This is very important to make the granola bars stick together. (I like to use something like a small square baking pan to press into the 8×8 inch pan for more leverage.)
  8. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove and let the bars cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Make sure to pack down the bars FIRMLY in the pan so they stick together. 

Store bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/10th of recipe
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 16g
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 5.5g
  • Protein: 6.5g