Cranberry Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Why didn’t I make these cranberry, chocolate chip granola bars 15 years go?

Will someone tell me why?

Oh, I remember why I didn’t…

Homemade granola bars had been on my “to make” list for years.

But, time after time, I forgot to purchase the needed ingredients or used up the rolled oats for another recipe before I even had a chance to try out some granola recipes.

Why oh why did I do that?!

cranberry chocolate chip granola bars

But everything changed when I remembered to speak my husband’s love language…well, one of his love languages.

I heard him say how much he loved granola and yogurt for breakfast.

That made me forget all the other items on my grocery list and head straight for the rolled oats section.

My man was going to get some granola.

And he was going to get the VERY best!

So I made cranberry chocolate chip granola bars!

cranberry chocolate chip granola bars

Why did I choose granola bars over plain granola?

It’s simple.

I have six kids at home.

They like to snack.

It’s easy to say, “Grab a granola bar!” as we head out the door for music lessons or church.

easy cranberry granola bars recipe

Granola bars are super convenient and they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know that I made those yummy bars my family is chomping into.

Ingredients Needed for Granola Bars

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup chocolate chips divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

How to Make Cranberry Chocolate Granola Bars

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
  • Next, stir together almonds and rolled oats in a large bowl and pour onto a cookie sheet.
  • Toast for 10-15 minutes in the oven, stirring half-way through.
  • Once lightly browned, removed from oven and transfer oatmeal mixture to a large mixing bowl.
  • Now, place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to cook and stir for one minute.
  • Pour over oatmeal mixture and add cranberries and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
  • Stir until thoroughly incorporated.
  • Then, pour the granola mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  • With wet fingers, firmly press the granola mixture into the pan evenly.
  • Now, sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown.
  • Cool for two or three hours before cutting and serving.
  • This recipe is freezer-friendly, so you can double the batch and freeze for another time!

Why Cranberry Granola Bars are a Favorite Recipe

Granola bars are versatile because you can break them up and throw them in a bowl for cereal or toss them with some yogurt!

Definitely awesome if kids want to enjoy granola in another form.

You won’t find any of the evil white sugar in this recipe. ( but you may find it in some of my other recipes on this site, but we won’t mention that right now, will we? )

Nope, all-natural brown sugar is used to make these healthy bars taste yummy and sweet.

Love the addition of the chocolate chips to even out the healthiness a little — wink, wink!

Plus, chocolate has antioxidants! The more the better, right?

Before you start grabbing your ingredients, here are a few tips you should know about making granola bars:

Granola Bar Making Tips

Be patient.

It takes several hours for these yummies to cool before you should serve or eat them.

Otherwise, they will fall apart.

Don’t omit the chocolate chips.

Those babies are like the glue that holds this wonderfulness together.

Make sure you press down firmly on the bars before baking.

This helps the bars to stick together as well.

Nobody wants to eat granola bars that keep falling apart!

Don’t skip the parchment paper step.

It’s in there for a reason!

This is coming from the queen of short-cuts, so trust me on this one.

Ready for some home-made granola bars baking in your oven?

Here’s the recipe!

Cranberry Chocolate Granola Bars

Cranberry Chocolate Granola Bars

Cranberry Chocolate Granola Bars

Yield: 14 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Cranberry chocolate chip granola bars are the perfect breakfast or snack for busy families. This homemade version doesn't use any white sugar!

Ingredients

  • 2 c. rolled oats
  • 3 tbsp. butter
  • ¼ c. brown sugar
  • ⅔ c. honey
  • 1½ tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 c. sliced almonds
  • ½ c. dried cranberries
  • 1 c. chocolate chips, divided
  • ¼ tsp. salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Now, butter an 8- by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
  2. Stir together almonds and rolled oats in a large bowl and pour onto a cookie sheet. Toast for 10–15 minutes in the oven, stirring half-way through. Once lightly browned, removed from oven and transfer oatmeal mixture to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue to cook and stir for one minute. Then, pour over oatmeal mixture and add cranberries and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Stir until thoroughly incorporated.
  4. Then, pour the granola mixture into the prepared baking dish. With wet fingers, firmly press the granola mixture into the pan evenly. Now, sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
  5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool for two or three hours before cutting and serving. This recipe is freezer-friendly, so you can double the batch and freeze for another time!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 251Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 61mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 3gSugar: 28gProtein: 4g

Nutrition values are estimates only, and are provided only as a courtesy.

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