This healthy granola bar recipe for kids is one of my go-to snacks for my toddler. They require no baking and are made with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand! Feel free to customize with options to make them gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.

three granola bars lined up on parchment paper with chocolate chips and oats

Easy Homemade Granola Bars

I know the thought of making granola bars can be a little intimidating but I’m betting you’ll be pleasantly surprised on how easy these no bake bars are to make. Plus, you’ll get a whole pan of bars for a fraction of the price of store-bought granola bars. It’s a win-win in my books.

homemade chocolate chip granola bars lined up on white parchment paper

These homemade granola bars are made with simple ingredients and lightly sweetened with maple syrup. If you’re looking for more kid-friendly snack recipes, check out our Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies, Applesauce Baby Pancakes, and Chunky Monkey Banana Breakfast Cookies!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

No Bake: There is no baking required for these homemade granola bars which means less time in the kitchen!
Kid Friendly: My daughter loves these healthy bars and I love that I know what’s in them. They also make a great snack for adults too!
Customizable: Another great thing about these grab-and-go granola bars is that you can customize them to your liking and dietary restrictions. The recipe is gluten and dairy free but could also be made nut free.

Ingredients For Healthy Granola Bars For Kids

The list of ingredients is pretty short for this recipe but feel free to customize if you want to add extra flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

Bananas: Make sure the bananas you use are ripe for this recipe. They add a subtle sweetness to the bars and extra nutrients.

Peanut Butter: I use natural unsweetened peanut butter but you could substitute the peanut butter for almond butter or seed butter if preferred.

Maple Syrup: Two tablespoons of maple syrup is added for a little extra sweetness. You could substitute it with honey.

Medjool Dates: Make sure your dates are softened and the seeds are removed before blending.

Vanilla Extract: For a bit of vanilla flavor.

Rolled Oats: I use certified gluten free rolled oats but you can use regular if you prefer.

Flaxseed Meal: Flaxseed is easy to add in these bars for extra nutrients.

Chocolate Chips: I use dairy free mini chocolate chips. You can use whatever chocolate chips you prefer. It might be fun to try different flavor chips also like butterscotch or white chocolate!

Ground Cinnamon and Salt: For a little extra flavor for these granola bars.

three granola bars stacked on top of each other with chocolate chips on parchment paper

How To Make Homemade Granola Bars

Here’s the step-by-step instructions:

Add the bananas, peanut butter, maple syrup, dates, and vanilla extract to a food processor or blender. Blend on high until the dates are chopped and ingredients are blended together.
In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, salt, and chocolate chips. Add the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine.
Pour the oat mixture into an 8x8 pan. Press down lightly with your hands or use a spoon to evenly layer the bars in the pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
Cut into bars and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

homemade granola bars cut into bars and lined up on parchment paper

Alternative Flavors

One of the best perks of making homemade granola bars is that you can easily customize the flavors to fit your preferences.

Here are a few optional mix-ins to spark some ideas:

Dried fruit: cranberries, cherries, or raisins
Chia seeds
Chopped nuts
Pumpkin seeds
Coconut flakes

Can Adults Have These Too?

Absolutely! My husband loves to pack these granola bars in his lunch for work. They also make a super easy snack to pack on the go for both my daughter and I when we are out doing errands.

How To Store

To Store: These homemade granola bars can last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

To Freeze: You can freeze the cooled bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

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