🍯 Homemade Oat and Nut Bars

Chewy, nutty, and lightly sweet — these bars are a wholesome grab-and-go snack perfect for mornings, post-workout fuel, or lunchboxes. Made with real ingredients, they’re naturally sweetened and full of energy.

🕓 Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 12 bars

🧾 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
½ cup chopped almonds
½ cup chopped walnuts
⅓ cup sunflower seeds (optional)
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon powder

Wet Ingredients

½ cup honey or pure maple syrup
⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ cup natural peanut butter or almond butter

Optional Add-ins

¼ cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
¼ cup dried cranberries or raisins
2 tbsp chia or flax seeds

🍯 Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Lightly grease parchment with coconut oil.

2️⃣ Toast the Nuts & Oats

Spread oats, almonds, and walnuts on a baking tray.
Toast for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and fragrant.

3️⃣ Prepare Wet Mixture

In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine honey/maple syrup, coconut oil, peanut butter, and vanilla extract.
Stir until smooth and glossy (3–4 minutes). Don’t boil.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.

4️⃣ Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, mix toasted oats and nuts, salt, and cinnamon.
Pour in the warm wet mixture and stir until evenly coated.
If using chocolate or dried fruit, fold in after mixture cools 5 minutes.

5️⃣ Press & Shape

Transfer mixture to prepared pan.
Press firmly and evenly using a spatula or parchment-covered hands.

6️⃣ Bake

Bake for 20–25 minutes:
- 20 min for chewy bars
- 25 min for crispier bars
Edges should be deep golden brown.

7️⃣ Cool & Slice

Cool completely on a wire rack (20–30 minutes).
Lift using parchment overhang and slice into 12 bars or 16 smaller squares.

🧊 Storage Tips

Room Temp: 5 days in an airtight container
Fridge: 10 days for firmer bars
Freezer: Up to 3 months, individually wrapped

Thaw frozen bars at room temperature for 15 minutes before eating.

💡 Variations

Tropical Twist: Add shredded coconut, macadamia nuts, dried pineapple
Chocolate Lover’s: Mix cocoa powder and drizzle with melted dark chocolate
Breakfast Bars: Add chopped dates and a dash of nutmeg, drizzle almond butter
Protein Boost: Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (reduce oats by ¼ cup)

🥄 Serving Suggestions

With coffee or tea
Post-workout energy bar
Crumbled over yogurt or smoothie bowls
Packed in kids’ lunchboxes

🧠 Tips for Perfect Bars

Press mixture tightly into pan to prevent crumbling.
If too soft after cooling, bake 5 more minutes.
No-bake option: refrigerate pressed mixture for 2 hours before slicing.

🩵 Nutrition Facts (per bar)

Calories: 230 kcal
Protein: 6 g
Carbs: 22 g
Fiber: 3.5 g
Sugars: 8 g
Fat: 13 g (Saturated: 5 g)
Sodium: 80 mg
Potassium: 210 mg
Calcium: 35 mg
Iron: 1.2 mg

🌾 Final Thoughts

These Oat and Nut Bars are chewy, wholesome, and endlessly customizable. Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup, they make a healthy, energizing snack you’ll want to make again and again. Perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, or anytime a snack attack hits!

oat and nut bars Recipe