Apple Granola Bars

3.83

Published Sep 28, 2020, Updated Oct 23, 2023

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These apple granola bars are the perfect fall snack with dried apple chunks, white chocolate chips and cinnamon. They’re both chewy and crispy at the same time and are so delicious.

I don’t know what it is about this fall but I’m on a total granola bar kick! I blame energy ball week. I love having healthy snacks on hand, but if I’m being honest… granola bars take even less effort than energy balls! No need to roll out the balls, just press and let them set!

When I was brainstorming flavors, I knew I needed to try an apple version. Fall is here and one of my favorite fall activities is stocking up on apples at a local orchard and making as many apple treats as possible. Although these granola bars use dried apples instead of fresh, they still give me all the fall vibes and they’re so delicious.

And I have to tell you… these bars disappear quickly in our house!

Apple granola bar on a wood cutting board next to a bowl of honey.

Healthier Granola Bars

I’m not sure when the last time you looked at your granola bar ingredient list and nutrition facts but… most are pretty alarming! The ingredient list is so long and half of the ingredients are either synonyms for sugar or are unrecognizable! I wanted to create healthier granola bars that use whole food ingredients, natural sweeteners and have simple ingredient lists. Mission accomplished! These apple granola bars are guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults!

Easy Granola Bar Ingredients

old fashioned rolled oats
brown rice crisp cereal – this cereal is similar to Rice Krispies, but made with brown rice so it’s a tad healthier. There are several brands that make brown rice crisps which you should be able to find in the organic/natural section of most grocery stores. Some brands to look for: Barbara’s, One Degree and Nature’s Path.
honey
coconut oil
dried apples – be sure to look for chewy dried apples (often called apple rings) as some dried apples are more like apple chips and super crunchy. Those won’t work well in this recipe.
white chocolate chips or caramel chips – I used Lily’s white chocolate chips, which are sweetened with stevia and low in sugar
cinnamon
vanilla extract
sea salt

Mixing bowl with oat and apple mixture for granola bars.

How to Make Easy Granola Bars

Prep pan – Start by lining a square baking pan with parchment paper. I like to use large paper clips to clamp it down so it stays in place.

Combine dry ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, cereal, dried apples and chocolate chips.

Create healthy syrup – In a pot on medium heat, combine the honey and coconut oil. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Once bubbling for 30 seconds, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt. Make sure you cook the mixture until it’s bubbling! This reduces the mixture and is what helps hold the bars together.

Combine wet and dry ingredients – Pour the warm mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until everything is well coated. The chocolate chips might melt a bit but that’s okay!

Press mixture – Pour the mixture into the pan lined with parchment paper and lightly press so the mixture is even. Top with remaining apple chunks and chocolate chips and and press firmly with your hands. You’ll really want to press the mixture down well so the bars hold together well. I like to put a piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture so my hands don’t get super sticky.

Refrigerate – Once the bars are fully pressed, place the pan in the fridge for two hours to allow the bars to set. Once the bars are solid or hard to the touch, remove them from the pan, place on a cutting board and slice into 10 bars.

Squash baking pan with apple granola bar mixture.

How to Store Granola Bars

These bars will stay together best if you store them in the refrigerator! They will keep for 1 week in an airtight container in the fridge. If you want to store them longer, wrap individually and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Substitutions & Notes

Wondering about different ingredient substitutions? Here are some that come to mind.

Brown rice crisp cereal – this is what gives them a little crunch and makes the bars taste like store-bought granola bars. If you can’t find brown rice crisp cereal you can use regular Rice Krispies or simply sub 1 cup of oats for the cereal.
Different chips – I used white chocolate chips but these bars with be delicious with peanut butter or caramel chips too. Lily’s makes salted dark chocolate caramel chips that I’m going to have to try out!
Different sweeteners – I haven’t tried other sweeteners, but I’m guessing it would work with agave, coconut nectar or brown rice syrup. I think maple syrup would be too runny and wouldn’t hold the bars together as well as the other options. If you try a different sweetener, let me know!
Dried fruit – of course these are apple granola bars, but if you can’t find dried apples or have a different dried fruit on hand you can certainly try these bars with a different dried fruit.

10 apple granola bars on a table surrounded by bits of oats and apple slices.

Bars Too Dry or Crumbly?

Two things likely happened if your granola bars are too dry or crumbly:

1. You didn’t let the honey and coconut oil mixture come to a low boil. Cooking until the mixture bubbles reduces the mixture and is the “glue” that holds the bars together!

2. You didn’t press hard enough! You really want to press the mixture into the pan lined with parchment paper. Put your back into it and compact that mixture!

If you can’t “save” your granola bars I bet they’re still delicious enjoyed like granola! Just be sure to follow these tips for next time.

Apple granola bars on a wood board next to a bowl of white chocolate chips and apple slices.

More Bar Recipes to Try

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

Be sure to check out all of my apple recipes as well as the full collection of snack recipes here on EBF!

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3.83 from 23 votes