Copycat Chewy Granola Bars
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I’ve been wanting to feature a Copycat Series on Kroll’s Korner for a while now, and I am SO excited to kick it off with these Copycat Chewy Granola Bars! These bars are a HUGE hit in my house, and I’m sure they’ll be in yours, too!
I love how nostalgic these Copycat Chewy Granola Bars are. Enjoying these feels like I’m back in elementary school, eating lunch before running off to play with my friends on the playground! I also love how easy it is to add variety to this recipe and make it your own. (Make sure to see the variations section below for some ideas!)
If you enjoy these Copycat Chewy Granola Bars, also check out my Homemade Protein Bars, Baked Oatmeal Cups, and Sweet & Salty Trail Mix Cookies for more yummy treats you’ll likely enjoy.
Or if you’re looking for more easy, fun snacks to pack in your lunches, don’t miss my Oatmeal Breakfast Bars, Dot’s pretzels copycats (original or honey mustard flavor), and Fruity Pebble Rice Krispie Treats!
I think we all have had one of those Quaker Chewy Granola Bars in our lifetime, right? I am pretty sure one was always shoved in my lunch pail growing up, or smashed under books at the bottom of my backpack, ha! Since having kids, there is always some type of granola bar stocked in our pantry but I knew I could make a homemade version that’s even tastier than the store-bought bar. It’s no-bake, requires minimal ingredients, and is SO easy. My girls love them, and I love them too, especially crumbled up on top of my yogurt!
- Quick-cooking / Instant oats: Quaker Quick 1-Minute Oats are a popular brand. Whatever brand you use, just make sure you’re getting quick-cooking or instant oats. Do not use regular old-fashioned oats – they’ll be too tough for these chewy granola bars!
- Rice Krispies: These add lightness and crispiness to these bars
- Honey: Helps to bind all the ingredients together so the bars stay in one piece
- Brown sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar, just make sure you pack it down when you measure it
- Salted butter: Like the honey, the butter helps to bind the ingredients together and also adds a warm, buttery flavor
- Vanilla extract: The vanilla complements the honey well for a sweet, but not too-sweet, flavor for these granola bars
- Mini chocolate chips: You’ll use these as topping on the bars!
Step by Step Directions
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
Prepare pan & mix base ingredients
Line a 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with foil, making sure there is some overhang. Spray lightly with nonstick spray then set aside. Mix oats & rice krispies together in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Melt the wet ingredients
Melt honey, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan on the stove, then simmer until it’s bubbling. Turn down the heat & cook for another 2 minutes (stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn’t bubble up over the pan). Remove the mixture from heat & stir in the vanilla.
Mix the wet and dry ingredients
Pour the wet mixture over the oat mixture and stir thoroughly to combine.
Press into pan & top with chocolate chips
Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan, making sure it’s tightly compacted. Top with mini chocolate chips.
Refrigerate, slice, and enjoyyy!!
Refrigerate 1-2 hours until set. Slice into bars and enjoy!!!
Expert Tips
- When you line the pan with foil, make sure to leave an overhang so that it’s easier to pull the whole slab out before cutting the bars.
- Be sure to purchase Quick-Oats or Instant-Oats for this recipe. Regular old-fashioned oats will be too tough for these chewy bars!
- Make sure to press the mixture down firmly into the pan. If you don’t pack and press it in, the bars won’t hold together like you’re expecting them to.
- Keep the mini chocolate chips just as a topping on these bars. I don’t recommend mixing them in with the oats mixture because they can melt from the warmth of the butter-honey-sugar mixture.
Chewy Granola Bars Variations
- Mix in your favorite dried fruits (think: raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates, dried apricots, dried cherries, dried blueberries… the opportunities are endless!). I recommend adding the dried fruits to the oats mixture instead of on top with the chocolate chips.
- Choose one of your favorite nuts (peanuts, sliced almonds, chopped cashews, chopped walnuts, etc.) and add them to the oats mixture.
- Choose a combination of dried fruit + nuts and mix into the oats mixture (I think sliced/chopped almonds and dried cranberries would be delish!)
- Sprinkle shredded coconut in the oats mixture or on top of the bars with the mini-chocolate chips
- Add peanut butter chips alongside the mini chocolate chips (or drizzle melted peanut butter on top of the bars after you’ve added the mini chocolate chips
- Mix in chia seeds, flaxseeds, and nut butter for extra nutrients!
- Add mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers to the oats mixture for a s’mores-inspired granola bar!
Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Place parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
- To help your Chewy Granola Bars last longer plus stay firm and chewy, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- If your bars start to dry out, put a small slice of bread in the container (like you would with cookies) to help retain moisture.
- To Freeze: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place them in a ziplock bag or airtight container. (They’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer.) Then let a bar sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating.
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Copycat Chewy Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 1/2 cup quick-cooking/instant oats, such as Quaker Quick 1-Minute Oats (do not use regular old-fashioned oats)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
- 1/3 cup salted butter
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or enough to cover the tops)
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan with foil, making sure there is some overhang. Spray lightly with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Mix Rice Krispies and oats together in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.2 1/2 cups Rice Krispies, 1 1/2 cup quick-cooking/instant oats, such as Quaker Quick 1-Minute Oats (do not use regular old-fashioned oats)
- Melt honey, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan on the stove. Bring it to a gentle simmer so it’s bubbling, then turn the heat down and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, making sure it doesn’t bubble up over the pan. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed, 1/3 cup salted butter, 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pour this over the oat mixture and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Firmly press into the prepared pan. Make sure it’s tightly compacted in the pan. Top with mini chocolate chips.1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (or enough to cover the tops)
- Refrigerate 1-2 hours until set up, slice into bars and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the refrigerator for up 2 weeks.
- Wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Place parchment paper between layers if you need to stack the bars.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
📸 Photography by Creating Kaitlin
