Is it cheaper to make your own granola bars?

Yes! Making homemade granola bars often cuts costs nearly in half compared to buying boxed brands. When you buy ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and dates in bulk, your cost per bar drops to around 25–40 cents each —compared to $1 or more for packaged bars. Plus, you get bigger batches, better flavor, and no fillers. It’s real savings without sacrificing taste.

What makes granola bars stick together?

The secret behind chewy, crunchy homemade granola bars lies in natural binders. Sticky medjool dates, warm honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup all act like edible glue, holding oats and nuts together. Pair them with creamy nut butter, and your bars won’t fall apart. Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan and chilling helps everything set perfectly.

Are homemade granola bars better for you?

Absolutely! Homemade granola bars skip the preservatives, artificial flavors, and refined sugars found in many packaged bars. Instead, they’re loaded with real ingredients: fiber-rich oats, protein-packed nuts and seeds, and natural sweeteners. You control the sugar content, the add-ins, and the portion sizes—making them a healthier snack for kids and adults alike.

What ingredient holds granola bars together?

In homemade granola bars, it’s all about the combination of sticky sweeteners (like honey, maple syrup, or date paste) and nut butter. They coat the oats and nuts, then firm up in the fridge to hold everything together. Using the right ratio of wet to dry ingredients—usually about 1 part wet to 2–3 parts dry —keeps your bars chewy, not crumbly.

Homemade Granola Bars – Best 5-Ingredient Recipe!

Description

Chewy, crunchy, healthier homemade granola bars made with just five pantry staples. Quick, customizable, and perfect for meal prep!

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ cups rolled oats (use gluten-free if needed)
1 cup pitted medjool dates (about 12–15)
½ cup creamy peanut butter (or almond/sunflower butter)
½ cup roughly chopped almonds (or seeds)
¼ cup maple syrup (or honey/agave)

Instructions

Prep dates: Blend or process dates into a sticky paste.
Mix dry: In a large bowl, combine oats and chopped almonds.
Warm wet: Gently heat peanut butter and maple syrup until pourable.
Combine: Add date paste and warm wet ingredients to the dry mix. Stir until evenly coated.
Press & chill: Press mixture firmly into a parchment-lined baking pan. Chill for 20–30 minutes.
Slice: Cut into bars. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Swap peanut butter with almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter to make nut-free or change the flavor.
Press the mixture firmly to help bars hold together.
Add chocolate chips, dried fruit, or seeds to customize.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 210 kcal