Granola bars are popular grab-and-go snacks that are often made with oats, dried fruits and seeds. You can get them from convenience stores and supermarkets, but it’s better to make your own so you can choose what goes in them.

Though seemingly healthy, store-bought granola bars are often highly processed and contain loads of added sugar and other artificial ingredients, such as food coloring and preservatives. These ingredients can negatively impact your health. They are also very high in calories but very low in nutrients.

When you make your own granola bars, you get to select the ingredients you want. This way, you won’t have to worry about your granola bars being bad for your health or your weight. Plus, you can easily make large batches of granola bars ahead of time and cut them whichever way you prefer for easier storage.

Here are four healthy granola bar recipes you can try.

Granola bar with rolled oats

These granola bars are incredibly filling thanks to fiber-rich rolled oats. They taste just as good as store-bought ones too, minus the added sugar and other artificial ingredients. If kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these granola bars will keep for about a week. You can also freeze them for long-term storage.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts of your choice
• 1 cup dates, pitted and diced
• 1/2 cup organic nut butter of your choice

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a loaf pan and set it aside.
2. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool before slicing.

Honey-sweetened granola bars

These indulgent, gluten-free granola bars are made with healthy, filling ingredients like oats and almonds. You can take some with you while traveling or snack on a bar or two before your workout.

For long-term storage, put each bar in a freezer-safe bag and keep them in the freezer until ready to eat.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/3 cups sliced almonds
• 1 cup organic almond butter
• 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Mix the oats, almonds, chocolate chips, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, mix the almond butter, honey and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir well until all the oats are evenly coated.
5. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan. Pack down the mixture as firmly and as evenly as possible.
6. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight.
7. Using a sharp knife, cut the chilled mixture into bars.

Apple and quinoa granola bars

This vegan-friendly recipe features unsweetened apple sauce, dried apples and crunchy quinoa. It also features coconut oil, which is loaded with healthy fats. If kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these apple and quinoa granola bars will stay fresh for up to a week.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup dried apples, chopped
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup coconut nectar or organic maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a pot, bring the coconut oil, coconut nectar and coconut sugar to a boil, stirring constantly.
3. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 2 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
4. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir well.
5. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan. Pack down the mixture as firmly and as evenly as possible.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. Let cool before slicing.

No-bake pumpkin granola bars

Make the most of pumpkin season with this recipe for no-bake pumpkin granola bars. Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice make these bars feel like a Thanksgiving treat. Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2/3 cup organic cashew butter
• 2/3 cup roughly chopped cashew nuts
• 1/2 cup coconut nectar or brown rice syrup
• 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons whole cashew nuts
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Heat the coconut oil, coconut nectar and nut butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Simmer for 1 minute or until the mixture thickens, stirring constantly.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining ingredients except for the whole cashew nuts.
5. Transfer the mixture to the baking pan. Pack down the mixture as firmly and as evenly as possible.
6. Sprinkle the whole cashew nuts over the mixture. Press down on them firmly.
7. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight.
8. Using a sharp knife, cut the chilled mixture into bars.

Most store-bought granola bars are chock-full of sugar, artificial sweeteners and other harmful ingredients. Instead of buying granola bars, make your own using healthy ingredients like oats, raw honey and nuts.

Sources:

LifeHack.org

EcoWatch.com

CookieAndKate.com

LifeMadeSweeter.com