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These homemade healthy granola bars are the absolute best postpartum snack! I make a big batch, cut into squares and store in the freezer. Then simply take out and devour when postpartum hunger gets the better of me.
My children love them. My husband loves them. This recipe will make roughly ten very big slices, or twenty moderate squares. Be warned they disappear quickly. They are extremely quick to make. And very easy to store in the freezer. Lasting for months. (Although admittedly ours have never lasted that long!) Serve them straight from the freezer. They don’t need to defrost. In fact if you leave them out for too long they will start to fall apart. Again, we never have that problem! They are sweet, nutrient dense and crunchy! The absolute best postpartum snack for tired Mums.
Welcome to Hennys Recipe Book
Now that we have a family I am experimenting in the kitchen more than ever before. My focus is on healthy, whole foods. More often than not my recipes can be made in bulk, for future use.
I grew up surrounded by home cooks. Influenced heavily by my mum, grandma and aunties; my recipes are family focused.
I feel very privileged to have a collection of recipes passed on my by late Grandmother. Hand typed on her type writer. She traveled widely for a single Mum of her era. Therefore, my inherited recipe book is a collection of recipes from family and friends from all over the world.
Now with a young family of my own, I’m sharing, adapting and creating more recipes to add to her collection. Recipes that will hopefully continue to be passed down the generations.
I hope that you find your own inspiration from our recipes. Most of them can be adapted to suit all tastes and families. Know all the recipes are ones that I use regularly for my own loved ones. They have been created with love and care. I hope that you and your family enjoy them as much as mine.
How this recipe makes the perfect homemade healthy granola bars!
The homemade healthy granola bars are so quick and simple to make. With only seven ingredients they couldn’t be simpler to throw together. Simple mix, press and freeze! That’s it! They keep for months at a time. So can be made well before your little one arrives. They are full of nutrients perfect for breastfeeding Mums. Sweet, crunchy and chewy. They are well loved by the whole family!
Most of the ingredients you will likely find in your pantry. The only ingredient you may not be familiar with is puffed rice which forms the base of this recipe. The rice remains firm and crunchy even after being frozen. The mix of peanut butter, agave syrup and coconut oil set the puffed rice. The combination is both chewy and crunchy!
Ingredients You Will Need For These Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to make these homemade healthy granola bars. Most of our ingredients are things you will likely already have in your fridge or pantry. Missing something? Don’t worry, we’ve suggested some ingredient swaps and tricks that might help. Don’t let one missing ingredient prevent you from making a delicious homemade healthy granola bars.
- Puffed rice (rice puffs) – puffed rice is a great source of fiber. Something not to be taken lightly when you are newly postpartum! It will definietly help to keep you regular, which is a definite pro. Puffed rice is low calorie, but it’s high fiber content will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Helpfully puffed rice is also a good source of calcium and iron. Making it a great ingredient for postpartum snacks!
- Mixed seeds – are an excellent source of protein and fiber. The health benefits are endless as they are also filled with healthy fats, minerals and vitamins. They are even antioxidants. The more you can include them in your diet the better.
- Dark chocolate chips – good quality dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage has a lot of health benefits. I personally use a variety that is 81% cocoa mass and free from refined sugar, palm oil and soya. Soya is an emulsifier and surfactant often found in chocolate. Sometimes referred to as ‘Soy lecithin’. Soya is personally something that I avoid as soy is almost always genetically modified when used commercially. When eating high quality dark chocolate the health benefits can include improved brain, heart and gut health. This is because the naturally occurring flavanoids in dark chocolate. Flavanols/flavanoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are excellent for our bodies. They occur widely in berries and leaves.
- Melted coconut oil – is high in lauric acid. This is thought to improve digestion and act as an inflammatory. Coconut oil is also rich in collagen which is known to be great for skin health in general. It may also aid to a more even skin tone. Its coconut taste adds a lovely to depth of flavour to this easy granola recipe. Coconut oil is also what I consider to a be a ‘clean oil’! Coconut oil is free from seed oils which I steer clear of. Seed oils are ‘refined’ using highly engineered processing methods and the introduction of harmful compounds such as hexane.
- Peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter) – I use smooth. You will be fine to use crunchy, but the texture will be much coarser. You can substitute the peanut butter for any other type of nut butter or seed butter. Peanut butter is an excellent source of plant based protein and fiber. As well as being a source of ‘good’ fat. The high protein content will often leave you feeling fuller for longer. It is also packed full of vitamins and minerals.
- Sultanas or raisins – are a great source of fiber and potassium. They are also antioxidants. Sultanas are a dried type of grape, a golden variety.
- Agave (or honey) – is also called agave nectar. It is a naturally occurring sweetener very similar to maple syrup. It is extracted from the agave plant, which is grown primarily in Mexico. It is a vegan friendly alternative to honey. It has a much lower glycemic index than granulated sugar (sucrose) as it is made of fructose and glucose. For this recipe you could swap agave syrup with either honey or maple syrup.
Equipment You Will Need For These Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
Our recipes rarely require any fancy tools. We don’t use a microwave to heat our food, so everything can be made either on the hob or in the oven. (Or in an Instant Pot if you have one!) Conversions for gas, electric, fan and Celsius and Fahrenheit are included in each recipe.
See my list of most used toddler and baby meal prep tools here.
Find my list of non-toxic kitchen tools here.
- Large mixing bowl
- 1 cup measure
- 3/4 cup measure
- 1/2 cup measure
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- 20cm x 20cm baking tin
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
Step-by-Step Instructions For These Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
Tips For Success For These Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
- Press firmly! – Be sure to press the bars down firmly into the baking tray before freezing. This ensures that the wet ingredients bind to the dry ingredients well. When the bars are frozen the wet ingredients will solidify. You will then have firm bars that are easy to eat and slice.
- Swap away! – If you don’t have any raisins, or are out of agave syrup make the appropriate swaps. The ingredients in these bars can be easily changed to suit a variety of diets and tastes. Only the puffed rice and coconut oil are non-negotiable. The rest can be swapped for alternatives as you see fit.
- Don’t skimp on the peanut butter – A whole jar of peanut butter might seem like a lot! But don’t skimp on the wet ingredients. The combination of coconut oil and peanut butter bind the bars together. Once hardened they form the ‘glue’ of the bars. Both essential and delicious, so don’t be shy with your nut butter!
Frequently Asked Questions About These Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
How long will this meal store in the freezer?
These homemade healthy granola bars can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.
What if I don’t like (or can’t eat) Peanut butter?
Simply swap the peanut butter for an alternative nut or seed butter. The recipe will work just as well. Be mindful that using a crunchy alternative will change the texture of the bars slightly.
I don’t have any sultanas!
No problem. The sultanas can be swapped out for any sort of dried fruit. If using a larger fruit like prunes, make sure you dice them into small pieces first.
Please comment and rate the recipe below if you make it. I’d love to know what your family thinks and your feedback helps us continue to improve our recipes.
Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Cup measure
- 3/4 Cup measure
- 1/2 Cup measure
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon
- 1 20cm x 20cm baking tin
- Parchment paper
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 Chopping board
Ingredients
- ½ cup Melted coconut oil
- 1 ½ cups Peanut butter (smooth) (1 jar or 340g)
- ½ cup Agave syrup
- 4 cups Puffed rice
- 1 cup Mixed seeds
- ¾ cup Sultanas (or raisins)
Instructions
- Melt the coconut oil (if very cold).
- Combine 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of agave syrup and 1/2 cup soft coconut oil in a large mixing bowl.
- Add 4 cups of puffed rice.
- Add 1 cup of mixed seeds.
- Add 3/4 cups of sultanas or raisins.
- Mix well with a large spoon or spatula.
- Line a 20cm x 20cm baking dish with parchment paper.
- Evenly spoon the mixture into the baking dish and press down firmly.
- Place in the freezer for at least 20 minutes, before removing to cut into slices using a sharp knife. Store in a freezer safe container and enjoy!
That’s a wrap for now…
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