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Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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These chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars are the ideal lunchbox treat or after school snack.

Picking up chewy oatmeal raisin granola bars.

As a mom of two growing children and a healthy recipe developer, I am constantly asked for nutritious kid-friendly meal ideas. The truth is, I didn’t grow up eating “kid food” and as a result, neither will my children! My kids eat what the adults eat so their food gets the same attention to flavor, ingredients, and spices as mine. However, if you are in search of healthy home-made snacks the whole family can enjoy, you have to give these Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars a try. My kids love these with my avocado blueberry smoothie for their after school snacks – a prefect healthy but yummy snack!

Ingredients

  • Oats: A great source of fiber and antioxidants, I use quick-oats because this is a no-bake recipe.
  • Rice cereal: Crispy rice cereal adds some crunch and texture to the bars.
  • Raisins: Naturally sweet, raisins are super rich in nutrients and fiber. You could also throw in some mini chocolate chips!
  • Butter: You could also use coconut oil, but it melts with the sugar to add sweetness and flavor.
  • Rice syrup: Brown rice syrup is what holds the bars together after you cut them.
  • Brown sugar: Adds a deeper, rich sweetness to the bars.
  • Vanilla: Just adds more to the flavor profile.
  • Salt: An important ingredient, even in sweet recipes! It enhances the flavor of all the ingredients.

How to Make Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars

Start your granola bars by mixing your oats, rice cereal, and raisins in a large bowl and set aside.

Next melt your butter or coconut oil over medium-high heat.

Next add the brown sugar.

Followed by the brown rice syrup. Stir to combine and heat until sugar is fully dissolved and it starts to bubble to a low boil. Reduce heat and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.

Then pour the heated sugar mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix until fully combined and all the dry ingredients are coated.

Next add the oat mixture to a prepared baking dish and press down firmly to compact everything together. Let cool at room temperature for a couple of hours before removing from the dish and cutting into bars.

Chewy oatmeal raisin granola bars in a row.

Once cut, serve immediately or store in an airtight container, and enjoy your Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best binder for granola bars?

In this recipe, it’s bound with the rice syrup. But if you’re willing to add them chia seeds are a great addition to your homemade granola bars that help to keep them together!

Should you soak oats before making granola bars?

You don’t have to soak oats before making your granola bars, but doing so can help make them easier to digest.

How long are homemade granola bars good for?

Homemade granola bars are good for about a week at room temperature in an airtight container or resealable bag.

More Healthy Snacks

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Liz eating chewy oatmeal raisin granola bars.

These Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars are perfect for an afternoon snack, or to include in your kid’s school lunch. What do your kids love to eat in their school lunches? Let me know in the comments below – I would love to hear new ideas!

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Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars

4.64 stars average
Liz Della Croce
These chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars are the ideal lunchbox treat or after school snack.
PREP: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 15 minutes
Pin
Servings12

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups quick oats
  • 1 cup crispy rice cereal
  • teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons heaping raisins
  • ¼ cup butter or coconut oil
  • ¼ cup brown rice syrup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Line an 8 x 8-inch or 9 x 9-inch baking pan or glass baking dish with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the oats, cereal, salt and raisins. Set aside.
  • In a small pot, melt the butter, syrup, and brown sugar. When it starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 4 minutes, making sure the mixture continues to minimally bubble while stirring often. Turn off the heat and mix in the vanilla.
  • Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, and mix well to combine all ingredients. Place the mixture into the baking dish. Cover with parchment paper, and press down with your hands until the mix is well packed. (Just when you think you’ve pressed down enough- press some more!)
  • Allow the pan to cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours. Lift parchment paper out onto a cutting board and slice into 12 bars. After cutting the bars, store in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 1 week.

Last Step:

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Liz’s Notes

This recipe is adapted from Laura’s recipe from MOMables.
You can find brown rice syrup in the baking aisle of your health-food store and online. Alternatively, you could use honey, but the bars will be sticky and they tend to break apart easier, which is why Laura doesn’t recommend using it.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.1g | Protein: 1.9g | Fat: 5.7g | Saturated Fat: 4.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 54mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 10.1g


4.64 from 11 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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33 responses to “Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars”

  1. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    Made these for the first time tonight. Added a tablespoon of good cinnamon to the syrup mixture. Delicious!

  2. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Trying this recipe with Karo light corn syrup with real vanilla. And opted for the coconut oil organic extra virgin cold pressed. Needed to soak the raisins overnight. Going to add cranberries also. Added powdered cocoa something leftover in the cupboard and may add semi sweet morsels. But ready to try peanuts and chocolate with granola next. Can’t wait to see how these turn out.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Wow sounds great! Keep me posted!

  3. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    It’s me again! I just made another batch, this time with coconut oil and no pb. I plan on taking them over for a playdate with some new friends. It seemed to be pretty liquidy with the oil but seemed to come together just like the other batches. Can’t wait to see how they turn out!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you enjoy them!

  4. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    The first batch is almost gone, every delicious and wholesome bite enjoyed by every member of the family! I just made another batch with dark chocolate and peanut butter to send to my best friend a few states away. Since it can stay well for at least a week, I figure it’ll be good to travel at room temp for a few days, in a zip lock bag. Any suggestions on how to pack it?

  5. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    How could I incorporate peanut butter or almonds butter? My little one tried and loved those Quaker chewy bars (thanks to grandma bringing them over!) but I don’t want to keep buying them with all the processed ingredients. I do want to keep some of the attributes that I think he loved about them, though, like the chocolate and peanut butter. At this point, I have all the ingredients ready except for the rice syrup. :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hi Jess! What if you tried replacing the butter/coconut oil with peanut butter? I can’t guarantee it would work but it’s worth a shot! Let me know if you try it ok?

      1. Jess Avatar
        Jess

        Almost-success! After sitting overnight they stick together well but are still pretty soft. Other than that, the pb is a delicious flavor and scent but not overpowering. I also added in 2 Tbsp. of flax seed and used diced dried apricots, plums and a box of dried cranberries instead of raisins. They are so good! Now that I have a whole jar of rice syrup, a huge container of oats and a big box of rice cereal, I’ll be making these every week! :) Thanks!

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          Thanks for the feedback!!! I hope you enjoy them made with the brown rice syrup!

  6. Lana Avatar
    Lana

    Thanks for this amazing recipe! So easy + so yummy! I cut back on the coconut oil and added butterscotch chips. They were a huge hit in my house! :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      So thrilled to hear it!

  7. Suzy Avatar
    Suzy

    I was excited to try these. Unfortunately my bars didn’t turn out like I had hoped. I substituted maple syrup for the brown rice syrup and my bars were crumbly and didnt hold together. Maybe next time I will try honey because I am looking for that chewy healthy granola bar! Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hi Suzy – Yes I’m afraid the brown rice syrup is the key to keeping the bars together. Let me know how it works with honey! Hopefully they were still delicious with maple syrup eaten as granola. :)