Easy recipe for amazingly delicious crunchy baked granola bars with maple syrup that can be customized to your liking. Vegan and gluten-free.
Hello guys! Today we are talking oat bars.
I know what you're thinking... Another oat/granola bar recipe? Well, why not?
These bars are the best thing to grab when I don't have time for breakfast at home. They can keep me full until lunch and are packed with nutrients.
Other times they accompany my afternoon coffee, when I want a sweet bite. The best part is that every time I eat them, I feel like I am doing something good for my body, because except from the healthy fats from nuts, coconut and olive oil, they are also rich in fibers (hello bran) and beta glucan.
Yes, did you know that oats contain something called beta glucan? It is an ingredient that can lower the cholesterol levels in your blood and reduce the risk of heart disease. Do I need to say more?
The recipe is very simple. All you need is a bowl and a fork. And… an oven. You stir the ingredients together, pop them in the oven and wait until the aroma of honey, nuts, and coconut take over your kitchen.
In addition, these bars are very customizable.
You stick to the basic ingredients and then add ¼ cup of your favorite mix of nuts and 1 cup of your favorite cereal. If you don’t have any cereal, just add one more cup of oats.
This time I chose a mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds, but you can choose whatever nuts you feel like at the moment, even bigger nuts, as long as you chop them to little pieces.
And if by any chance you drop some chocolate chips to the mix I ‘m not going to judge… just saying….
Oh, and one more thing…
Keep in mind that if you crumble them, they will probably become your new favorite recipe for granola.
You can eat them with some yogurt, top your favorite ice cream, or even sprinkle the top of some cupcakes before baking to add some crunch and a different look.
Now that I think of it, this recipe will make a good tart shell also. I should try and make these white chocolate tarts with an oats shell... Healthy and delicious! Don't you think?
Notes:
- I’ve made this recipe several times, and every time I tweak it a little. If I want the bars to be on the sweet side, I use only honey as a sweetener (I’m lucky since my mom sends me a very thick, aromatic thyme honey from Crete :P).
- When I want them to be less sweet, I use a mix of maple syrup and glucose syrup (I just put in the measuring cup 2 tablespoons glucose and fill the rest with maple syrup). Glucose syrup has a thick consistency and makes the bars extra crunchy and crispy.
- Crash your cereal into little pieces. This will help when cutting the bars.
- Cut them while hot, to minimize crumbs!
You can use this recipe to make granola:
The only thing you'll have to do differently is not to compress the mixture in the pan, and bake it in the form of crumbs. This granola is used to make poached mini apples with granola and yogurt cream
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Recipe
Crunchy Baked Granola Bars Recipe with maple syrup
Equipment
- 1 Rectangular pan 10x8 inches (20x25 cm), lined with baking paper
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ cup maple syrup or glucose (or honey for not vegans)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups oats (I use 1 cup rolled and 1 cup quick oats, but you can use whatever you want)
- 1 cup of your favorite cereal, very finely crushed (make sure it’s GF, for gluten free option)
- ¼ cup chopped raisins, or your favorite dried fruit
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup mixed nuts, chopped
- 3 tablespoons shredded coconut
- ¼ cups oat bran (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 320°F (160°C)
- In a bowl stir together oats, nuts, raisins, cereal, coconut, cinnamon, salt and bran.
- In a small pot heat the coconut oil and the maple syrup (or honey/glucose. Stir to combine and add the vanilla. Pour it into the bowl with the dry ingredients and combine very well until all of the ingredients are wet and sticky.If the mixture seems too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons water and mix well. Transfer the mixture into the pan, spread it evenly and PRESS IT VERY FIRMLY until it is compact.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes or until brown. Transfer it on a cutting board with the baking paper and let it cool for 3-5 minutes.Cut it when still warm, to minimize crumbs. If some pieces break during cutting, just press it back with your hands.Let the granola bars cool completely and transfer them into an airtight container.
- In the video below there's the same recipe made into granola. Just don't compact the mixture and use a larger pan for better browning.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Jess | Urban Alchemy
These look SO good! And I'm in love with oat bran! Adding to my must-make list. Thanks for posting!
Makos
Hey Jess, yes you should make them, they're my favorite!
Thanks for commenting!
By the way, I really liked your site, great design!
Erin
Can I still make without the oat bran?, I don't have it on hand.
Makos
Yes! I use oat bran for extra fiber, but the recipe still works without it.
Jeen
Can i use peanut butter instead of the oil or will it make the bar chewy?
Makos
Hi Jeen, you're probably right about the chewiness. If you don't have coconut oil, use any other vegetable oil you have. I have also made them with olive oil.
Lele
For those who want to make it wfpb compliant: the oil isn’t necessary, just replace the amount of liquid with water or any othe liquid. I just tried it and it works just fine without the oil
Makos
Thanks Lele!
Lily
How long this recipe would last for in an airtight container?
Makos
Hi Lily, I've kept them for more than 10 days without any problem (because they don't contain eggs, milk, or anything else that can spoil, they generally keep very well)
Lily
Thank you for your response! I appreciate it.