This homemade granola or muesli bar recipe makes a healthier muesli bar alternative to the store bought version, and it’s great for cooking with kids.
Depending upon where you are in the world, these might be called granola bars or muesli bars. Whichever label you use, we are sharing the recipe for a delicious snack bar made predominately of oats with other ingredients, such as dried fruit or nuts.
My kids love to eat muesli bars so I was determined to develop a homemade version that they will eat as enthusiastically as the store bought bars and this recipe is definitely a winner. As well as being cheaper and healthier than its store bought counterpart, I can easily change up the flavors based on what I have available in the cupboard.
For the version shared here I used dried apples as I recently made an oven-dried batch from late summer produce. But other fruit choices that I’ve found work well include: dried apricots, peaches and pears, dates and coconut.
These muesli bars are quick and easy to make. My four year old son loves to drag a kitchen chair to the bench and help me cook. He has recently learned to crack eggs and this is one of his favorite recipes as he gets to practice cracking three of them!
These bars are enjoyed in our house as a morning tea or a lunch box snack.
Homemade Granola or Muesli Bars Recipe
Whilst the full recipe is listed below, here are a few handy hints before you begin – this recipe makes approximately 10 bars (depending on the size they are cut to). Ingredients are all listed as metric measurements. Here is a handy printable conversion chart if you use imperial measurements.
The recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and then 20 minutes to cook. You will also need to allow time for the baked result to fully cool in the tray before removing and cutting, otherwise your bars will crumble.
I use a 27cm x 18 cm slice tray that is 3cm deep.
Additional Hints and Tips
- Use small fine grade oats or your muesli bars won’t hold together as well.
- The depth of the tray you use will affect the cooking time. The deeper the pan the longer the bars will take to cook.
- Use a sharp knife to cut.
- I slice into 5 strips and then cut each strip in half.
- Muesli bars can be store for 1 week in an airtight tin or container.
Homemade Muesli Bars Recipe
This homemade muesli bars recipe makes a healthier muesli bar alternative to the store bought options.
Ingredients
- 150 grams butter
- ¼ cup of honey
- 2 cups of quick cook oats
- 3 tablespoons of seeds – I use pumpkin and flax seeds
- 1 cup of dried apples chopped
- ½ cup sultanas
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 3 eggs lightly whisked
Instructions
- Line slice tray with baking paper.
- Turn the oven on to heat to 160ºC.
- Melt the butter and honey over low heat in a pan.
- Add fruit and dry ingredients to a bowl.
- Add the melted butter and honey and then the eggs and stir to combine.
- Pour the combined muesli bar mixture into the slice tray.
- Smooth the top of the mixture and give it a shake backward and forward on the bench to settle it evenly in the pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes until golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and allow the muesli bar to cool completely in the tray.
- When it is cool, gently turn it onto a board.
- Use a sharp knife and cut into the desired length.
Notes
For more lunchbox treats to cook with your children, be sure to check out these related recipes;
Kyrstie Barcak is a mum to two boys aged 6 and 3 years. She writes about the fresh produce grown in their family garden and the seasonal menus
that result at A Fresh Legacy-Grow Fresh Cook Fresh. Kyrstie is passionate about cooking fresh meals for her family and friends. She supports local farmers and producers when there is not enough to collect from her garden and likes to make her family’s food from scratch.
What a great recipe Kyrstie. Tell me do you buy your seeds like pumpkin and flax seed in bulk somewhere? I am wanitng to buy more seeds, but find them expensive.
Nic
Hi Nic, thanks for your question. I usually buy about 250gms at a time at either the Sth Melboune or Queen Victoria Market. Store them in an airtight container. They are great to use in bread and muffins too.
And Kyrstie arrives with a winner! x
Awwww, thanks so much Maxabella, you are so lovely. I hope that you get a chance to give it a try 🙂
This looks delicious…I love a good muesli slice x
just followed your recipe and it turned out lovely 🙂
Hi Claire thanks so much for taking the time to return and let me know. I am really pleased that you liked it.
So happy to find a “granola” bar recipe that does not call for nuts or peanut butter. We have a peanut/tree nut allergy in our house and I’m very excited to try your recipe. It looks fantastic!
Thanks Michelle, I hope you and your family enjoyed it. I like to do nut free so that it can be taken to kinder.
Hi. Was wondering if these are soft or crunchy bars? I’m after soft ones for my 1 year olds. Also love love it being nut free!! Hubby is allergic to peanuts and he misses out on heaps of my cooking for the kids. I don’t have time to make two versions plus there are very few recipes that are actually but free. Thanks again
Hi Karli,
I would not call them crunchy. They hold together but are not hard. Happy cooking. I hope that you and your family enjoy them. Kyrstie