If you love Quaker Oats Chewy Granola Bars, you’re going to LOVE this homemade version.
These homemade chewy granola bars are soft, flavorful, freezer-friendly, and made with simple ingredients you can feel good about. They’re the perfect healthy snack for busy mornings, market days, after-school bites, or anytime you need something quick and nourishing.
Between running my business, managing our household, and trying to carve out a little time for myself, I don’t always have the hours to bake elaborate snacks. That’s why this healthy granola bar recipe has become a staple in our kitchen. I can make one batch and have grab-and-go snack bars ready for the entire month (and beyond).
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Granola Bars
- Soft and chewy (just like the classic store-bought version)
- Made with wholesome ingredients
- Freezer-friendly and fridge-stable
- Perfect for meal prep
- Easy to cut into full-size bars or bite-sized snack squares
This recipe makes about 27 granola bars, depending on how you cut them. If you prefer smaller, bite-sized pieces, you can easily get close to 100 small squares — ideal for little hands or quick energy boosts throughout the day.
Make It Even Better with Local Ingredients
If you’re like me and love sourcing local ingredients whenever possible, I highly recommend checking out Janie’s Mill for your flour and oats. They’re located in Central Illinois, grow nearly all of their own grains, and ship nationwide. Using freshly milled grains adds incredible flavor — and it’s a beautiful way to support small farms while feeding your family well.
Recipe Inspiration
This chewy granola bar recipe is inspired by Acre Homestead on YouTube. Becky shares some of the best homestead-style recipes I’ve tried, and she inspires me daily in the kitchen.
Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
Yields about 70 bars
3 sticks butter
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
6 1/2 cups rice cereal
8 cups quick cook oats
1 cup ground flaxseed or wheat bran
1 TBS salt
Mini chocolate chips or dried fruit
1) Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2) Over medium heat, melt butter, sugar and honey. Stir until melted and mixed together. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes then remove from heat.
3) In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients except chocolate chips or dried fruit. Stir in warm butter mixture until well coated.
4) Stir in chocolate quickly to prevent too much melting.
5) Spread onto baking sheet and press tight into an even layer.
6) Place in the fridge until set, about 2-3 hours. Cut into bars or bite sized pieces.
To store, place into freezer bags or Tupperware. You can keep them in the freezer indefinitely or the fridge for up to 3 months.