Chewy CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS

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These chewy chocolate chip granola bars are filled with so much homemade goodness! They’re a grab-and-go breakfast and snack for busy families. Pack them in school lunches and in backpacks for road trips and airplane travel. Bring them on camping trips and to sporting events to curb hunger.

PIN CHEWY GRANOLA BAR RECIPE

Four chewy granola bars topped with chocolate chips and flaky sea salt on a wire rack.

UPDATED POST: This chewy granola bar recipe was first published in 2018. In 2021 the recipe was adjusted to enhance flavor and texture. Updates include fresh photography, step-by-step images and a user-friendly format.

Chewy chocolate chip granola bars on metal rack over torn pages of a recipe book.

Like healthy homemade granola, making chewy granola bars from scratch is so satisfying. It’s rewarding to see everyone enjoying this healthy snack. After all, it’s easy to adjust the ingredients to fit your family’s taste buds.

When doubling this recipe it’s best to use two 9 x 9 square pans. But there are other options: two 8 x 8 square pans or one 9 x 13 pan. Just know, the granola bars will be slightly thicker and may require more time to set.

Overhead image of chewy chocolate chip granola bars on a wire rack for cooling.

INGREDIENTS

These chewy chocolate chip granola bars call for simple ingredients you may already have on hand right now!

  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Honey
  • Light brown sugar
  • Butter
  • Sea salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Quick-cooking oats
  • Milk chocolate chips
  • Dark chocolate chips
  • Flaky sea salt
Ingredients for chewy chocolate chip granola bars.

EASY INGREDIENT SWAPS

Missing an ingredient for this chewy granola bar recipe? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the market. Instead, head to your fridge and pantry. Check for these easy ingredient substitutions.

It’s convenient to use the ingredients you already have at home!

  • QUICK-COOKING OATS: Use old fashioned oats for a thicker chewier texture. Or use this kitchen hack for making quick oats from old fashioned oats: Add old fashioned oats to a food processor or blender. Pulse in short bursts to process briefly.
  • CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER: This ingredient helps hold the bars together. Sub with Biscoff creamy cookie butter, almond butter, pecan butter, or sunflower butter.
  • HONEY: This ingredient is a natural sweetener. Honey also acts as a binding agent to keep the bars cohesive, and prevent them from falling apart. The best swap is light corn syrup.
  • LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: Use dark brown sugar.
  • BUTTER: This ingredient adds moisture and richness. The best substitute is margarine.
  • VANILLA EXTRACT: Sub with maple syrup.
  • CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Sub with your favorite baking chips or morsels, either mini or regular. You can also use M&Ms.
  • FLAKY SEA SALT: The rustic texture and flavor of this ingredient takes chewy chocolate chip granola bars to the next level. But if you don’t have some on hand or are watching salt intake, you can leave it out.
Chocolate chip granola bars cooling on a rack sprinkled with chocolate chips and flaky salt.

RECIPE STEPS

RECIPE PREP: Line a 9 x 9 pan with 2 oversized pieces of parchment paper that extend over the sides of the pan. Later these “handles” will be used to easily lift and remove the slab of granola bars from the pan.

  • STEP 1: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine peanut butter, honey, light brown sugar, butter, and salt. Cook stirring constantly until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
  • STEP 2: Add oats and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
  • STEP 3: With a rubber spatula, transfer hot mixture to prepared pan. Spread it into an even layer. Press down firmly to compact. This removes any air pockets that could prevent the mixture from sticking together.
  • STEP 4: Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot layer. With the back of a spoon or a clean spatula, press the chips into the mixture. Stick the pan in the fridge to cool and set (allow 2 to 3 hours).

REMOVE FROM PAN AND SLICE: Once mixture is firmly set, use parchment paper “handles” to lift slab up from the pan. Transfer it to a wooden board. With a long sharp knife, slice the slab into strips, squares or mini bites. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

How to make chewy granola bar recipe in 4 easy steps.

RECIPE FAQ

These are the most frequently asked questions about this homemade chewy granola bar recipe, and the most helpful answers for recipe success!

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE NUT FREE?

Replace the peanut butter with sunflower butter. Replace peanut butter with sunflower butter. Another delicious option is Biscoff Cookie Butter. While this is a nut-free product, it might packaged in a facility that processes other products with nuts. Be sure to read the label.

HOW TO KEEP HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS FROM FALLING APART?

Use oats as the base ingredient to make bars sturdy. Sticky ingredients, like peanut butter and honey, are binding agents that act like glue to keep all the ingredients together. They provide structure and stability. Keep chewy chocolate chip granola bars refrigerated between servings.

GRANOLA BAR MIX-IN IDEAS?

Try roasted mixed nuts, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds), dried cranberries, dried blueberries, raisins, M&Ms, coconut flakes, or roughly-chopped dark chocolate. Or make them s’mores bars with mini chocolate chips with mini marshmallows.

BEST SPICES FOR GRANOLA BARS?

Try ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice.

HOW TO SLICE CHEWY GRANOLA BARS?

Use a long, sharp chef’s knife to cut the bars. Slice them into long bars or sturdy squares. For parties, slice them into bite-size pieces. Serve them on a plate or small tiered platter.

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS?

Arrange granola bars in a flat layer inside an air-tight container or zip-top bag. Keep them stored in the fridge. More options: individually wrap pieces in plastic wrap or parchment paper secured with tape. If stacking the pieces, separate bars with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

HOW LONG DO HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS LAST?

They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week. For longer storage, wrap them in a double layer of plastic, then slip them into a sturdy zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, defrost them overnight in the fridge.

GRANOLA BARS GOT TOO SOFT ON A HOT DAY. WHAT CAN I DO?

Separate the bars and arrange them on a parchment paper-lined tray. Stick them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until firm but not frozen. Transfer them to the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them.

Four chewy chocolate chip granola bars garnished with flaky sea salt cooling on a wire rack.

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Ready to make some exciting snacks? If you’re a fan of homemade chewy granola bars, then you’ll be delighted with these delicious recipes!

Chewy chocolate chip granola bars sprinkled with flaky sea salt on a small wire rack.

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Family and friends who’ve enjoyed these chewy chocolate chip granola bars say they’re way more delicious than store-bought bars.

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Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com
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Four chewy chocolate chip granola bars garnished with flaky sea salt cooling on a wire rack.

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS


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Description

These chewy granola bars are wholesome and fun to make! An ideal snack for back-to-school lunches, road trips, airplane travel, and sporting events, they’re also a delicious grab-and-go breakfast.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt*
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups quick-cooking oats (not old fashioned)
  • 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
  • Flaky sea salt for garnishing, as desired

*NOTE: If the bars will not be garnished with flaky sea salt, increase the salt content in the granola bar mixture to 1/4 teaspoon, or adjust this seasoning to taste. (Some recipes call for 1/2 teaspoon salt). Salt brings out the flavor of the other ingredients. 


Instructions

RECIPE PREP: Line a 9 x 9 pan with 2 oversized pieces of parchment paper that extend over the sides of the pan. Later these “handles” will be used to easily lift and remove the slab of granola bars from the pan. 

  1. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, butter, and salt. Cook until smooth, stirring constantly. Add oats and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
  2. With a rubber spatula, transfer the hot mixture to prepared pan. Spread it into an even layer. With the spatula, press down firmly to make it compact. This removes any air pockets that could prevent the mixture from sticking together.
  3. Evenly sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot layer. With the back of a spoon or a clean spatula, press the chips into the mixture. Stick the pan in the fridge to cool and set (allow 2 to 3 hours).
  4. Once mixture is firmly set, use parchment paper “handles” to lift slab up from the pan. Transfer it to a wooden board. With a long sharp knife, slice the slab into strips, squares or mini bites. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Notes

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE NUT FREE: Replace the peanut butter with sunflower butter. Replace peanut butter with sunflower butter. Another delicious option is Biscoff Cookie Butter. While this is a nut-free product, it might packaged in a facility that processes other products with nuts. Be sure to read the label.

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS: Arrange the bars in a flat layer inside an air-tight container or zip-top bag. They’re sticky and soft. Keep them stored in the fridge. More options: individually wrap pieces in plastic wrap or parchment paper secured with tape. If stacking the pieces, separate bars with parchment paper to prevent sticking. 

  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Chill Time: 2 Hours
  • Cook Time: 5 Minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS > YOUR THOUGHTS

Do you love eating chewy granola bars with chocolate chips? What do you think about this homemade granola bar recipe? Join the conversation in the comments below. Share your favorite granola bar add-ins!

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36 Comments

  1. I’ve been sending my kids to camp with granola bars every day (purchased), so I love seeing this chewy granola bar recipe! I’ll definitely be trying this recipe instead soon!






  2. Granola bars have to be chewy in my opinion, and these look amazing. I just assembled the recipe and the slab is setting up in the fridge right now. So excited!






  3. The granola bars look too amazing here. I don’t think my daughter and I could decide whether to use the M&M’s or the Reese’s Pieces. We would have to do a bit of both. But yummy!






  4. These granola bars look amazing. I know that my daughter and I would love to have them. Our only question would be would we go with Reeses pieces or M&Ms. Still have a hard time deciding.






  5. OMG your chewy bar recipe looks delicious and good for plating photography. All my girlfriends will love this!






  6. My kids are crazy about granola bars. I’m not crazy about the sugar. Loving your homemade recipe do you can control what goes in them. Plus, the kids will have fun helping us make them.

  7. You know I was searching for a good Granola bar recipe for a long time. These Chewy Granola bars are looking delicious!






  8. Yummy!!! My kids would totally love these and so would my husband! And I love that they are no bake!! I can’t wait to try them!

  9. I’ve just pinned this so I can remember or refer to it in future. It looks yummy and I like that I can make it myself. Will come in handy for lunch or afternoon tea.