In this Instructable, I will show you how to make granola bars at home. This yummy homemade granola bars recipe is also gluten-free. Just make sure you are using certified gluten-free rolled/old-fashioned oats. Homemade granola bars are so much better than store-bought and you get to control what goes into them, which is always a plus. Make them as healthy as you want! They are easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let's get baking!

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both.

Step 1: Ingredients and Tools

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups rolled oats/old-fashioned oats. Don't use instant oats. (200g)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (65g)
1/2 cup chopped almonds (65g)
1/4 cup refined coconut oil or use unsalted butter (52g)
1/3 cup honey or use agave syrup/nectar (112g)
1/3 cup maple syrup or use agave syrup/nectar (112g)
1 tsp vanilla extract (5ml)
1/4 tsp salt (1g)
1/2 cup raisins (80g)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (80g)
1/4 cup pepitas/pumpkin seeds (30g)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (33g)
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (85g)

*Note: Feel free to swap out ingredients with others, or leave them out completely.

Tools:

Bowls
Sheet pan
Silicone mat or parchment paper
Spatula
Granola bar pan or 13x9 pan lined with parchment paper

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Step 2: Roast/Toast the Oats and Nuts

Preheat the oven to 350 F/176 C. Take a sheet pan and line it with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Evenly spread out the oats in the pan. Make sure you are using old-fashioned rolled oats and not quick or instant oats.

If the nuts that you bought aren't already roasted, spread those out as well. Toasting the oats and nuts enhances their flavor.

Place the pan in the oven, middle rack, position, and bake for 15 minutes. At the 7 minute mark, stir them so they toast evenly.

Step 3: Make the Syrup

While the oats and nuts are toasting, you can make the binder. In a medium bowl combine the coconut oil, honey, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. If you don't want to use maple syrup, double up on the honey, or use agave nectar/syrup. Or vice versa if you don't want to use the honey.

You can swap out the coconut oil with butter as well.

NOTE: If it is fairly cool in your house most likely your coconut oil will be solid. Measure it out and then melt it in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a pot on the stovetop.

Step 4: Mix It All Together

Pour the toasted oats and nuts into a large bowl. Then add the salt, raisins, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and mini chocolate chips. Any of those ingredients are optional. Other ideas to try are chopped-up dried apricots, mango, pineapple, etc.

Now pour in most of the binder/syrup. Usually, you will use it all, but if you leave a lot of these optional ingredients out, then you won't need all of it.

Stir to coat, make sure everything is coated well.

Step 5: Fill, Pack, Bake

Now fill up your granola bar pan/candy bar pan and press it down firmly so it packs well. It is important to press and pack it down.

If you have any leftover, which most likely you will if you are using a mold, then just place some parchment paper in a bread pan and put the rest in there, and pack it firmly.

Also, instead of using a mold, you can use a 13x9 or 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper. You will pack it in there as well.

The reason why I like the mold is they all turn out exactly the same size and I don't have to cut them haha. Definitely worth it if you are going to make a lot of these often.

Now bake in the often, same temp, 350 F/176 C for 15 to 20 minutes just until lightly golden brown. This will help bind them all together.

Step 6: Cool, Cut, Serve

Once they come out of the oven, allow them to cool completely, for at least a few hours. If you try and remove them from the mold or cut them while warm, they will just fall apart. So wait a few hours until they are firm and cooled down.

Then you can remove them from the molds or pan. For the pan just lift up the parchment paper and the one giant granola bar will come out. Then you can cut it how you want.

This makes 12 to 16 regular-sized granola bars. But you can get more if they are smaller. Enjoy!

Print the recipe here if you like.