Discover the secret to delicious, high-fiber granola bars that taste like candy! Perfect for energy boosts and satisfying hunger – learn how to make them now!
Enjoy the delightful taste of my High-Fiber Cranberry Oat Energy Bars! Simply put, these healthy “granola” bars are loaded with cranberries, oats, chia, flax seeds, peanut butter, and honey. They’ll not only satisfy your hunger but also offer a nutritious boost of fiber. Imagine a candy bar, but healthier and more satisfying – that’s what these granola bars are!
Ingredients Needed for Homemade High-Fiber Granola Bars:
Embrace a clean eating lifestyle with these wholesome ingredients. If you’re already a fan of chia and flaxseed for their fiber-boosting properties, you might find these ingredients readily available in your pantry.
- Oats
- Dried Cranberries
- Chia Seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Peanut Butter
- Honey
- Rice Crispies
Gather these simple yet nutritious ingredients to whip up a batch of these delicious, high-fiber energy bars!
How To Make Energy Bars at Home:
Making your own energy bars is an easy and rewarding process. Follow these straightforward steps to create delicious, high-fiber treats right in your kitchen.
- Combine Ingredients: Start by mixing oats, dried cranberries, chia seeds, flax seeds, peanut butter, honey, and rice crispies in a large bowl. Ensure everything blends well for a uniform texture. Sometimes we wear food safe vinyl gloves so the girls can get their hands in there to mix it.
- Press into a Pan: Next, transfer the mixture into a parchment-lined baking pan. This recipe can be made in an 8×8 pan. Press it down firmly. This is crucial for the bars to hold together properly.
- Chill (Optional): For firmer bars, chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cutting. This step isn’t mandatory but helps in keeping the bars intact during cutting.
- Cut the Bars: Once the mixture is set, remove it from the fridge. Cut it into bar-sized pieces using a sharp knife. If you want to skip the bars and go for energy balls you can skip steps 1 through 4. Just press the mixture into balls and enjoy.
- Store or Enjoy: Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month or at room temp for 1-2 weeks, otherwise enjoy them immediately for a quick energy boost.
Why You’ll Love These Granola Bars:
- They’re delicious and filling – perfect for hunger pangs.
- They may aid in breastmilk production for new mothers. See my experience below.
- High-fiber content may help regulate bowels.
- They provide nutritious energy without compromising on flavor.
After having my baby in December 2017, I created these granola bars to enhance milk production and enjoy the benefits of oats. According to Medical News Today, “oatmeal is one of the best foods for boosting the milk supply.” Not only did I see a positive change in my milk supply, but I also noticed better bowel regulation – a definite win-win!
Personal Experience: Consuming 2-3 bars daily led to noticeable improvements in my milk supply and bowel health. Plus, they’re irresistibly tasty, reminiscent of a candy bar but without the guilt!
The Perfect Sweet-Tart Combination: Originally, I experimented with white chocolate, but it proved too sweet. The cranberries add a perfect sweet-tart balance that’s absolutely addictive.
Effortless No-Bake Recipe: These no-bake energy bars are a breeze to make, requiring just about 5 minutes of mixing. They’re a staple in my fridge, serving as my “healthy” candy bars, thanks to their delightful combination of flavors.
Ideal for Busy Mornings and Post-Workout Snacks: These easy-to-make bars are fantastic for hectic mornings or as a pre/post-workout snack.
Tips for Perfect Granola Bars:
- Firmly press the mixture into the pan. This ensures the bars hold together well after cutting.
- Transform this recipe into energy balls for a fun twist! Kids love them, and they’re excellent for snacks on the move.
- While it’s optional, chilling the mixture before cutting can really help. This step firms up the bars, ensuring they hold their shape and stay intact when you slice them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use different nut butter or seeds?
Yes, feel free to experiment with various nut butters and seeds to tailor the bars to your taste. Please note that not all seeds and nut butters are equal in nutrition and benefit. Fiber content of these bars may change if you omit or change ingredients. Also, the texture can be altered depending on the type of nut butter or seeds you choice to use.
Are these bars suitable for kids?
Absolutely! They make a great, healthy snack for children. Three of my four kids love these. I have one picky eater that won’t touch dried cranberries.
How long can I store these bars?
They stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 weeks or at room temperature for at least 2 weeks. I’ll be surprised if they aren’t gobbled up by then though.
Substitute Ingredients:
- No Peanut Butter? Use almond or cashew butter.
- Out of Honey? Maple syrup is a great alternative.
- No Cranberries? Try dried blueberries or cherries for a different flavor.
Note: substituting ingredients may result in a more dry, crumbly bar.
Enjoy the delightful taste and health benefits of these high-fiber, delicious granola bars. Perfect as a quick snack or energy boost, they’re sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
Ready To Make Your Own Energy Bars? Here’s the Full Recipe:
High-Fiber Granola Bars
This High-Fiber Cranberry Oat Energy Bars recipe is so filling with loads of cranberries, oats, chia and flax seeds, peanut butter and honey.
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup rice crispies cereal
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Combine oats, rice cereal, ground flax seeds, chia seeds and dried cranberries. Add peanut butter and honey. Mix until fully incorporated.
- Pour and press into 8x8 inch pan lined with parchment paper. (see note)
- To get a clean cut, chill for 4 hours in fridge or 1-2 hours in freezer. Cut into desired size (12-14 pieces). Store in fridge to help maintain shape (not required).
Notes
When pressing energy bars into pan use a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap on the top to avoid hands getting sticky. Press as firm as you can. The more packed the bars are the better they will hold their shape.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 111mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 5gSugar: 15gProtein: 7g
What’s your favorite high energy snack?
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O.P. 2.16.18 Updated (text and photos): 1.11.24
Is there nutritional info on these bars? How much protein and how much fiber per bar?
Hi Kiki, I’ve added a nutrition label to the recipe card. you may also like my delicious bran muffins recipe too. it has fiber, protein and is so yummy! https://kitchencents.com/high-fiber-flaxseed-bran-muffins/
My bars keep falling apart also. I added an extra 1/4 cup honey. Seemed to help
Hi Debbie! I’m glad you got them to hold better with a little extra honey. Using a LOT of pressure when pressing them really helped mine hold. How did they taste? These are a favorite of mine when I’m looking for a little extra fiber in my diet.
I was so excited to make these as I had all ingredients in my pantry. However, they didn’t stay together at all and now I have a pan full of granola. So my question is, what kind of oatmeal, and what kind of peanut butter? I used old fashioned and natural PB. Thanks!
Hi Cak! I’m so sorry to hear this. I use quick rolled oats (not 1-minute oats but regular quick oats). For the peanut butter I use Jiffy or Skippy creamy peanut butter. Natural PB may give this bar a much softer consistancy do to the oil more likely to separate. Also, I put a LOT of pressure on the bars before chilling them. This really helps the ingredients hold together. I notice the bars don’t stay together as well when I don’t pack it as firm. I hope this helps. Thanks for stopping by and dropping a comment.