DIY Granola Bars: Make Your Perfect No-Waste Snack

Granola bars are the ultimate grab-and-go snack for anyone with a busy life. But store-bought versions often come loaded with mystery ingredients and sky-high prices. The solution? Make your own with Naturally Granola as your base. Not only do you get complete control over what goes into your bars, but this recipe is also completely no-waste—you can use the granola gruis (crushed bits) from the bottom of your bag. The result? Nutritious, customizable bars that taste infinitely better than anything you'll find on a shelf.

Why Make Your Own Granola Bars?

Store-bought granola bars are convenient, but homemade ones are superior in every way. You control the sweetness level, the texture, the flavor combinations—and you know exactly what's going into your body. Plus, making a batch takes less than 20 minutes of hands-on time, and they keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

Best part? You can make a different flavor combination every time based on what's in your pantry. This recipe is endlessly adaptable, which means you'll never get bored.

Ingredients You'll Need

The Base (Dry Ingredients):

• 2 cups Naturally Granola (any flavor works—use Signature, Belgian Dark Chocolate, or even the gruis from the bottom of your bag)

• 1/4 cup nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)

• 1/4 cup seeds or dried fruit (hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, figs, raisins, dried apricots)

• Optional flavor boosters: protein powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, orange blossom water, or cocoa powder

The Binder (Wet Ingredients):

• 1/4 cup maple syrup (agave or honey work too)

• 1/2 cup nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, or tahini)

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Line a square or rectangular baking pan with parchment paper. This makes removal and cleanup effortless. If you have a specialized bar pan, even better—use that.

Step 2: Create the Sticky Base
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the maple syrup, nut butter, and coconut oil. Stir gently until smooth and well combined. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Don't let it boil—you're just warming and combining, not cooking.

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Remove the pan from heat and add all your dry ingredients (granola, nuts, seeds, and any flavor boosters). Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly coated and there are no dry patches. The mixture should feel sticky and hold together when pressed.

Step 4: Press Into the Pan
Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and press down firmly. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands (lightly oiled if needed) to create an even, compact layer. The more firmly you press, the better your bars will hold together.

Step 5: Chill and Set
Place the pan in the freezer for 1 hour. This allows the bars to firm up completely and become easy to cut. You can also refrigerate for 2-3 hours if you prefer.

Step 6: Cut and Store
Remove from the freezer and cut into bars using a sharp knife (a serrated knife works best). Wipe your knife between cuts for clean edges. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to one month.

Flavor Combinations to Try

This is where the fun begins. Here are some proven combinations to get you started:

• Classic Chocolate: Belgian Dark Chocolate granola + almonds + coconut + cacao powder

• Tropical Vibes: Signature granola + cashews + shredded coconut + dried mango + vanilla

• Poppy Seed Dream: Signature granola + almonds + poppy seeds + lemon zest + honey

• Protein Power: Any granola + almonds + hemp seeds + protein powder + cinnamon

• Spiced Chai: Signature granola + walnuts + sesame seeds + cinnamon + ginger + cardamom

The possibilities are endless. Raid your pantry and experiment!

Pro Tips for Perfect Bars

• Use granola gruis. The crushed bits at the bottom of your Naturally Granola bag are perfect for this recipe. It's a completely no-waste way to use every last bit of your granola.

• Press firmly. The more pressure you apply when pressing into the pan, the more compact and sturdy your bars will be. Loose bars will crumble when you bite into them.

• Chill thoroughly. Don't skip the freezer time. This is what transforms the sticky mixture into sliceable bars.

• Cut with a sharp knife. A dull knife will crush the bars instead of cutting cleanly. Wipe your knife between cuts for the best results.

• Store properly. Keep bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. They'll stay fresh for weeks.

• Make it protein-packed. Add 2-3 tbsp of protein powder to the dry ingredients to turn these into a post-workout snack.

Why These Bars Are Better Than Store-Bought

Homemade granola bars beat the alternatives every time. You know exactly what's in them (no mystery ingredients or preservatives). They taste infinitely better because you can customize the flavors to your exact preferences. And they're more economical—a batch of 12-16 bars costs a fraction of what you'd spend on store-bought versions.

Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about making your own snacks. You're not just eating a bar; you're eating something you created with intention.

Recipe Card

Recipe: DIY Granola Bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 1 hour | Makes: 12-16 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Naturally Granola (any flavor)

• 1/4 cup nuts

• 1/4 cup seeds or dried fruit

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1/2 cup nut butter

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• Optional: flavor boosters (vanilla, cinnamon, protein powder, etc.)

Method:

1. Line a baking pan with parchment paper

2. Heat maple syrup, nut butter, and coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat until combined

3. Remove from heat and stir in all dry ingredients until evenly coated

4. Press mixture firmly into the prepared pan

5. Freeze for 1 hour until firm

6. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container in the fridge

Ready to Make Your Perfect Bar?

Grab your favorite Naturally Granola flavor (or use that gruis from the bottom of your bag—we love a no-waste approach) and start experimenting. These bars are perfect for meal prep, lunchbox additions, or whenever you need a satisfying snack that actually nourishes your body.

Shop our granola collection and start creating your custom bars today.

Have you made these bars? Share your favorite flavor combination with us @naturally.granola on Instagram—we'd love to see your creations!

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