Name: Crunchy Homemade Granola Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup vegan apple-based honey (divided); 2 tablespoons vegan butter; 3 cups rolled oats; 3/4 cup slivered almonds; salt (to taste); 1 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit (chopped); 1/3 cup crunchy nut or seed butter; 1/4 cup light brown sugar

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Crunchy Homemade Granola Bars ~

Easy, crunchy, 100% vegan granola bars perfect for the lunch box or as an after-school snack!

Table of Contents

Homemade Granola Bars Recipe

The kids are back in school this week, mornings are in the ’60s here, and the leaves are beginning to hint at fall colors. All this makes me want to run out and buy pumpkins but I’ll resist that urge for now. I did pick up the obligatory fall mums for the front porch a few days ago (Costco had big 4-packs for $12 so how could I not, right?)

This is also the time of year when my love for baking is renewed.

I recently tried a few no-bake granola bars with varying results, and none had the satisfying crunch I was after. Maybe someone out there has a no-bake crunchy bar that doesn’t fall apart but I haven’t seen it.

These bars, however, are exactly what I’ve been craving.

First, you roast the oats and nuts and then stir in everything else. Easy peasy. Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge or at room temperature for up to a week.

Ingredients for Crunchy Homemade Granola Bars

You will need:

3/4 cup vegan apple-based honey – agave nectar will also work
2 tablespoons vegan butter
3 cups rolled oats
3/4 cups slivered almonds
salt, to taste
1 cup dried cherries – or other dried fruit of choice
1/3 cup crunchy nut or seed butter
1/4 cup light brown sugar

How to Make Crunchy Homemade Granola Bars

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly butter two 8″x8″ baking pans.

STEP TWO: Place 1/4 cup honey and all of the butter in a small glass bowl and microwave in increments of 15 seconds, stirring each time, until butter is melted.

STEP THREE: In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almonds, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Drizzle honey and melted butter over the oat mixture and stir to coat well. Spread evenly onto a large baking sheet.

STEP FOUR: Bake 20 minutes, stirring halfway, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, around 10 minutes.

STEP FIVE: Return mixture to the large mixing bowl. Stir in the cherries or other dried fruit. Set aside.

STEP SIX: In a saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup agave nectar, nut or seed butter, and brown sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved, around 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drizzle over oat mixture, stirring to coat thoroughly.

STEP SEVEN: Pour equal amounts into each of the prepared pans. Press everything down firmly and evenly. Refrigerate for 1 hour to set, then slice and serve.

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