My most popular homemade muesli bar ever!! Soft and chewy bars made from rolled oats, puffed rice, honey, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut oil, nut butter and more.
A healthy and nutritious recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare and is a delicious energy-boosting snack.
Ask any of my readers what one of their favourite Bake Play Smile recipes is and I can almost guarantee you that my homemade muesli bars will be near the top of their list (along with my famous chocolate mud cake, super easy peppermint slice and New York cheesecake, of course!!)
These muesli bars are soft, chewy, nutty, crunchy and sweet... plus, they're healthy!
Once you try my homemade muesli bars, you'll never buy store-bought bars again.
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
Have a read through the reader comments on this recipe and you'll see why everyone loves this recipe:
Healthy recipe - this recipe is made using nuts, seeds, puffed rice, honey and coconut, making it a healthier alternative to some other muesli bar recipes. And just knowing they contain only what you put in - no 'hidden' preservatives, additives or artificial flavourings!
Versatile - my homemade muesli bars are so incredibly versatile! Follow my recipe and use a store-bought trail mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruit, or mix and match with any of your favourite dried fruits and nuts. Scroll down for more of my substitution suggestions.
Dairy-free - these muesli bars are completely dairy-free making them a great option for those with dairy intolerances or allergies.
Quick & easy - this recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook. Perfect for when you're in a rush and need to whip up some healthy snacks.
One bowl recipe - forget about using any fancy equipment or making a big mess in your kitchen. This entire recipe is prepared using just one bowl.
Freezer-friendly - my homemade muesli bars freeze perfectly. Plus they take just a few minutes to defrost at room temperature, making them a great 'grab and go' snack.
5 Star recipe - this recipe is a reader favourite! With all 5 star reviews and comments, you really need to try these muesli bars for yourself!
What You Need
The ingredient list may look lengthy... but you'll find that most of the ingredients are already in your pantry or fridge.
Note: please scroll to the recipe card for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method.
Wet Ingredients
coconut oil - using coconut oil gives these muesli bars the most delicious CRUNCH!!! I do not recommend substituting the coconut oil with butter or vegetable oil as they don't give the recipe the same result.
honey - a natural sweetener that helps to bind the ingredients together.
peanut butter - you can use any type of peanut butter you like. I find that store-bought creamy or crunchy peanut butter works better than homemade, but the choice is yours!
Flavourings
cinnamon, vanilla and salt - these give the muesli bars a delicious flavour while the salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavour of the bars.
Dry Ingredients
brown sugar - using regular brown sugar or dark brown sugar gives the muesli bars a soft and chewy texture.
rolled oats - choose rolled oats or quick oats for this recipe.
coconut - use desiccated coconut which is a fine, dry coconut.
trail mix - choose a trail mix with a good selection of nuts, dried fruits and seeds.
plain flour - also known as 'all purpose' flour.
puffed rice - use Rice Bubbles, Rice Krispies or any similar puffed rice.
chocolate chips - also known as chocolate bits. Cadbury's is a popular good quality brand, and you could use, milk, dark or white chocolate chips in this recipe.
Step By Step Instructions
This one bowl recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare!
Note: please scroll to the recipe card for the ingredient quantities and full detailed method.
Step 1 - Melt
Place the coconut oil, honey and peanut butter into a microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted.
Step 2 - Mix
Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt and brown sugar to the melted mixture and stir together until combined.
Add the oats, coconut, trail mix, flour and puffed rice.
Stir to combine.
Step 3 - Add The Chocolate Chips
Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Add the chocolate chips and stir through quickly.
Note: Some of the chocolate chips may melt slightly.
Step 4 - Bake
Press the mixture firmly into a prepared baking tin and bake until just golden.
Allow the slice to cool completely before cutting into slices.
TIP: To cut perfectly neat slices, place the slice in the fridge for several hours (preferably overnight) before cutting.
Recipe Variations
This is such a versatile recipe!
You can mix and match with any of your favourite granola bar ingredients.
Here's a few of my recipe variation suggestions:
substitute the store-bought trail mix with the same weight of your favourite mix of dried fruits, nuts and seeds
substitute the honey for rice malt syrup
substitute the peanut butter for almond butter or any nut butter
use quick oats in place of rolled oats
for a healthier option, use cacao nibs in place of chocolate chips
Note: I do not recommend trying to make this homemade muesli bar recipe nut-free as the peanut butter helps to bind the mixture together.
Follow my tips and have a batch of delicious homemade muesli bars ready in no time.
Adding the chocolate chips
Ensure the mixture has cooled before mixing through the chocolate chips. They may still melt a little but if you work quickly, you'll still have lovely little chunks of chocolate throughout.
Can I make these nut-free?
I don't recommend attempting to make these muesli bars nut-free as the peanut butter binds the mixture together. However for nut-free muesli bars, try this nut-free recipe or my chocolate chip granola bars.
Are these homemade muesli bars dairy-free?
Yes they are! This makes them a great option for those with dairy intolerances or allergies to dairy products.
Are muesli bars and granola bars the same?
Yes! The terms refer to the same thing and are used interchangeably these days. Muesli bars is the more commonly used term here in Australia, whereas the term granola bars is more popular in the US and Canada.
Cutting the muesli bars
Allow the slice to cool completely before cutting into slices. For best results, place the slice into the fridge for several hours (preferably overnight) and then cut into pieces.
Storing
Store the homemade muesli bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. By keeping them in the fridge, the bars will stay crunchy and delicious.
Freezing
Freeze any leftover muesli bars in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The bars take just a few minutes to defrost at room temperature, making them a great option for a grab and go snack.
These really are the very best homemade muesli bars... soft & chewy with just the right amount of crunch! Made with rolled oats, puffed rice, honey, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut oil, nut butter and more!
5 from 71 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: muesli bars
Cuisine: Healthy Snacks
Prep Time: 10minutes
Cook Time: 30minutes
Total Time: 40minutes
Servings: 16pieces
Calories: 483kcal
Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile
Ingredients
100g (½ cup) coconut oil (liquid)
170g (½ cup) honey
125g (½ cup) peanut butteror any nut butter
¼tspcinnamon
1tspvanilla extract
½tspsalt
135g (⅔ cup) brown sugar
150g (1 ⅔ cups)rolled oats
50g (½ cup) desiccated coconut
180g (1 ¼ cups)trail mix(mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruit)
Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease and line a 28cm x 20cm rectangular slice tin with baking paper.
Place the coconut oil, honey and peanut butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% power for up to 3 minutes or until just melted. Stir.
Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt and brown sugar and mix together.
Add the rolled oats, coconut, trail mix, plain flour and puffed rice. Mix together.Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Add the chocolate chips and mix to combine.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tray and press down firmly and evenly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until just golden. Allow to cool completely before cutting into slices.
Thermomix Method
Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease and line a 28cm x 20cm rectangular slice tin with baking paper.
Place the coconut oil, honey and peanut butter into the Thermomix bowl. Melt or 2 minutes, 90 degrees, Speed 2 (or until melted).
Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt and brown sugar and mix for 5 seconds, Speed 4.
Add the rolled oats, coconut, trail mix, plain flour and puffed rice. Mix for 10 seconds, REVERSE, Speed 2. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat.Allow to cool slightly.
Add the chocolate chips and mix with the spatula to combine.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tray and press down firmly and evenly.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until just golden. Allow to cool completely before cutting into slices.
Notes
RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
Ingredients Info:
Coconut oil - using coconut oil gives these muesli bars the most delicious CRUNCH!!! I do not recommend substituting the coconut oil with butter or vegetable oil as they don't give the recipe the same result.
Trail mix - choose a trail mix with a good selection of nuts, dried fruits and seeds.
Puffed rice - use Rice Bubbles, Rice Krispies or any similar puffed rice.
Chocolate chips - also known as chocolate bits. Ensure the mixture has cooled before mixing through the chocolate chips. They may still melt a little but if you work quickly, you'll still have lovely little chunks of chocolate throughout.
Dairy Free - use dairy-free chocolate chips or substitute for cacao nibs.
Recipe Substitutions:
Substitute the store-bought trail mix with the same weight of any of yourfavourite dried fruits, nuts and seeds
Substitute thehoney for rice malt syrup
Substitute thepeanut butter for almond butter or any nut butter
Usequick oats in place of rolled oats
For a healthier option, use cacao nibs in place of chocolate chips
More Recipe Tips:
Nut-free - I don't recommend attempting to make these nut-free as the peanut butter binds the mixture together. For nut-free muesli bars,try this recipeor mychocolate chip granola bars.
Cutting into slices - allow the slice to cool completely before cutting into slices. For best results, place the slice into the fridge for several hours (preferably overnight) and then cut into pieces.
Storing - store the homemade muesli bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. By keeping them in the fridge, the bars will stay crunchy and delicious.
Freezing - freeze any leftover muesli bars in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The bars take just a few minutes to defrost at room temperature, making them a great option for a grab and go snack.
While there are several different sticky ingredients that you can use, we've found that the binding agent that works the best is honey! When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together.
Freedom Foods Barley+ Seven Seeds Bars. Carman's Original Fruit Free Muesli Bars. Uncle Toby's Farmers Pick Pecan, Maple & Cashew with Sea Salt. Food for Health Cinnamon, Hazelnut and Chia Bars.
Yes, granola bars are healthy (when made of real grains, nuts, and fruit), but they're for energy, not weight loss. In fact, you could be gaining weight if they're your go-to snack.
Don't over measure your oats, nuts, and add-in's. If you measure the dry ingredients too generously the granola bars won't stick together because they won't be enough liquid ingredients to "glue" them together. Don't throw off the dry to wet ratio with heavy-handed measuring.
Higher temperatures can cause ingredients like nuts, seeds, and coconut to burn before the batch has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up, Perry says. Stick with a low temperature, keep an eye on your mixture, and stir it from time to time to help it brown evenly.
Homemade granola bars will keep well for up to a week at room temperature, but for a longer shelf life, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 6 months!
Yes they are, because they have complex carbs (oat), protein and good fats (oily fruits), but be carefull with the amount of sugar! It's better if it's sugar free. Complete ir with some yoghurt or fresh fruit.
They contain mostly (or all) whole grains, they are low in added sugar, they have protein and healthy fats, and they come in small portions. The right granola bars for snacking and meals can help with diabetes management, and Lark can help guide you in the rest of your eating and lifestyle choices to lower blood sugar.
When looking at sugars, you ideally want a product with less than 15% sugars. If it contains dried fruit, you may allow for a little extra sugar, so 20% is okay.
How much sugar is in an Uncle Tobys muesli bar? On average, our muesli bars have about 4.3-8g of sugar per bar – that's between 1-2 teaspoons of sugar per bar. In some bars, this includes the sugar in the dried fruit we add.
A: Limit your granola bar consumption to no more than two per day. These bars are not complete meals and cannot replace the main meal's essential macronutrients your body needs. Granola bars are tiny treats or snacks, not whole meals.
Make a batch of your favorite granola and then put an egg in it. But really, add a beaten egg white -- make sure it's foamy and frothy -- to your granola after you've mixed it all together. The protein in the egg will help bind the oats together, creating addictive morsels.
If you don't care for honey, you can replace all or part of it with date honey, maple syrup, agave, brown rice syrup, or golden syrup. Additionally, brown sugar caramelizes nicely and produces crunchier bars than if you're just using a liquid sweetener; use up to 1/4 cup. Granulated sugar is ok, too.
Yes, absolutely you can freeze granola bars! I like to wrap the bars individually first with waxed paper or parchment paper, then store in large, labeled ziploc bags so I know which variety of granola bar I'm getting. They freeze well for up to 2 months.
Can I substitute quick oats for rolled oats in granola? Yes! Rolled oats are most commonly used in granola bars, cookies, muffins, and other baked goods. Instant oats can be used in place of rolled oats, although the cook time will be much less, and the final dish might not have as much texture.
For maximum clumps, gently press down on the granola with the back of a spatula after stirring the mixture at the half-way baking point. Then put the pan back into the oven to finish baking. Don't bake the granola too long—just until it's lightly golden on top, as described.
Be sure not to extend the baking time and check the oven occasionally. If you leave it in the oven for too long, it will develop a bitter taste. Let the granola cool completely. The cooling process makes the baked mixture stick together, so you get these heavenly clusters when breaking it up.
Just wrap up your bars in tinfoil, wax paper or plastic wrap and then wrap the cut-down printable around it on top and seal with tape. You can even add in the ingredients too if you like!
Consuming cereals after the 'Best if Used By' date does not pose a food safety risk. "If you eat a cereal after this date, it simply may not taste as good." Many cereals are like canned foods, which generally stay safe to eat but may lose their texture and color as the months and years pass.
Yes, you can freeze bircher muesli for up to 3 months. This makes it one of the best breakfast dishes you can make in advance to save yourself time on meal prep every morning.
If you're looking for a healthy snack to keep you going, we recommend muesli bars with more than 50 per cent of their ingredients a combination of whole grains, nuts, seeds and fruit. These ingredients contain good fats and add fibre, and dried fruit is a good source of sweetness.
For most people, a granola bar in your lunch or for snack every day is not going to be an issue. If we're having 2-3 a day, maybe it's time to find some more variety in your snacks, but that could vary by the person based on their specific needs.
Cereal bars are usually a healthier alternative to chocolate bars. However, they are still a sweet snack and you should take the time to choose the right one. Because of their unhealthy levels of sugar and carbs, cereal bars aren't actually an ideal breakfast; they're more of a sweet treat alternative.
Peanut butter contains essential nutrients, and it can be part of a healthful diet when a person has diabetes. However, it is important to eat it in moderation, as it contains a lot of calories. People should also make sure their brand of peanut butter is not high in added sugar, salt, or fat.
Generally, there's no advantage to substituting honey for sugar in a diabetes eating plan. Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level. Honey is sweeter than granulated sugar, so you might use a smaller amount of honey for sugar in some recipes.
Yes, muesli is best for weight loss. Muesli is low in saturated fat and extremely low in cholesterol. It is likewise high in fiber and whole grains that kickstart and keep up the stomach related procedures in the body.
When it comes to nutrition, oats by itself is very rich in key nutrients, protein, and fibre. But muesli has higher protein and nutrient content owing to the added ingredients. The more additional ingredients the muesli has, the higher the nutrition value.
When you need energy to power through your day, reach for an Uncle Tobys Muesli Bar. They're made with 100% Australian oats, with no artificial colours or flavours, so they're a nutritious and great-tasting way to fuel you on your journey to greatness.
Soft and chewy bars made from rolled oats, puffed rice, honey, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut oil, nut butter and more. A healthy and nutritious recipe that takes just 10 minutes to prepare and is a delicious energy-boosting snack.
Muesli bars were highest in dietary fibre, contributing an average of 9.4 g/100 g, the lowest in sodium (112.2 mg/100 g), and had a significantly higher HSR (3.0). They also contained the highest percentage of whole grain ingredients (40.7%) compared with grain-based bars and oat slices.
Assuming you have an unlimited supply, you'll have no problem obtaining enough the macronutrients water, carbohydrates, and fat. Protein is going to be a huge stumbling block, because the ingredients of most granola bars are carb-heavy.
Many types of granola contain healthy ingredients that may offer numerous benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and gut health.
Possible downsides. Granola bars are often considered a healthy snack, but despite these marketing claims, many are loaded with added sugar, calories, and artificial ingredients. For example, Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Harvest granola bars can contain up to 15 grams of sugar per serving — mostly from added sugar.
A perfect go-to snack when on the move, sugary, high-glycemic granola bars are a far cry from perfection before bed. They serve as an effective pick-me-up before undertaking anything aerobic, but research shows that foods high in sugar trigger nightmarish brain waves.
Leave the granola to cool to room temperature before storing it to stop any condensation from making the granola soggy.Once cool, place the granola in an airtight container. You can use any sealed container. I like cereal storage boxes best because they make for easy pouring.
While there are several different sticky ingredients that you can use, we've found that the binding agent that works the best is honey! When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together.
Even though you should refrigerate your granola bars to help them firm up quickly, you do not need to store them in the refrigerator. After cutting them, I wrap mine in a strip of parchment or wax paper (to keep them from sticking to each other) and then store them in a resealable Ziploc bag in my cabinet.
If you measure the dry ingredients too generously the granola bars won't stick together because they won't be enough liquid ingredients to "glue" them together. Don't throw off the dry to wet ratio with heavy-handed measuring. Let the honey, butter, brown sugar mixture boil for one minute.
Homemade granola retains the best quality for about a month if you store it at room temperature. If you're okay with slightly stale granola, make that two months. Also, always check the suggested storage time for the recipe you're using, as these vary between 2 weeks and two months.
Make a batch of your favorite granola and then put an egg in it. But really, add a beaten egg white -- make sure it's foamy and frothy -- to your granola after you've mixed it all together. The protein in the egg will help bind the oats together, creating addictive morsels.
Not only can you transform that soggy, chewy granola back to being blissfully crunchy, but it's easier than you might think. All it takes is spreading the granola in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and heating it in a 400 degree oven for five minutes — essentially re-baking it.
Try putting a scoop in the microwave and heating it in 30 second bursts on high. If it starts to get sticky, you're golden. Let it cool and the granola should stick together. Then just break it apart into clumps with your fingers!
Assuming you have an unlimited supply, you'll have no problem obtaining enough the macronutrients water, carbohydrates, and fat. Protein is going to be a huge stumbling block, because the ingredients of most granola bars are carb-heavy.
Just wrap up your bars in tinfoil, wax paper or plastic wrap and then wrap the cut-down printable around it on top and seal with tape. You can even add in the ingredients too if you like!
Since granola is dried, it's shelf-stable and can be kept at room temperature. To store your homemade granola in the pantry: Leave the granola to cool to room temperature before storing it to stop any condensation from making the granola soggy. Once cool, place the granola in an airtight container.
Can I substitute quick oats for rolled oats in granola? Yes! Rolled oats are most commonly used in granola bars, cookies, muffins, and other baked goods. Instant oats can be used in place of rolled oats, although the cook time will be much less, and the final dish might not have as much texture.
Make sure to use old-fashioned oats, though. Quick oats are too processed and will make the bars overly dry, and steel-cut oats won't soften enough. Oat flour: No need to buy specialty flour; oat flour can be made with quick or old-fashioned oats.
Store-bought granola is safe to eat months past its expiration date, so it's unlikely you'll experience any sickness. All of its ingredients are plant-based, so they can't really go bad. With that said, there aren't many risks of eating expired granola.
Start by melting a stick of butter in a large pot and then add the liquids, such as juice or water. Don't skip this! I used to think there was no point in adding water, but that's what helps the chunks of granola stick together and get crunchy. You can also add vanilla or almond extract to the liquid mix.
Combine the oats, raisins, and almonds (if using) in a medium bowl. Blend the dates, water, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Pour this into the bowl of oats, raisins, and nuts, and stir well. Spread the granola evenly between the two baking sheets, breaking up any large clumps.
Crunchy, sweet, and satisfying, granola is a popular breakfast topping or daily snack. It tastes good — and it's good for you. There are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Sprinkle a little on top of yogurt or ice cream, mix it with milk, or add hot water for a nourishing meal that will warm you up on a cold day.
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