Healthy Chewy Granola Bar Recipe With Chocolate Chips

Snack time just got a serious upgrade with a chewy, chocolaty bar that’s tastier (and healthier) than your typical store-bought option.

Some snacks just stick with you—and if you grew up on those shiny-wrapped chewy granola bars, you know what I mean. Sweet, soft, and studded with chocolate chips, they were a lunchbox staple. But as an adult trying to stock the pantry with better-for-you options, I found myself missing that nostalgic, satisfying chew. So I started tinkering.

For my kids’ lunch boxes, I wanted a healthier homemade version of the chewy granola bar that wouldn’t feel like a compromise. I wanted something sweet, but not overly so. Something soft and satisfying, but not filled with preservatives or mystery ingredients. And—because I’m a realist—something I could pull together with pantry staples I already had.

These bars rely on a base of quick-cooking oats and granola cereal for the perfect chewy-crisp texture. The mixture of butter, honey, and just a touch of molasses gives them richness and depth, while mini chocolate chips bring that classic flavor we all know and love. Best of all, they chill rather than bake, meaning you can make a batch with zero oven time.

Is This Chewy Granola Bar Recipe Healthy?

These chewy granola bars strike a nice balance: they’re sweet enough to satisfy a craving, but made from ingredients you can feel good about. Swapping refined sugar for a combo of coconut sugar, honey, and molasses keeps things closer to the whole-food end of the spectrum, while oats provide fiber. They’re not a low-calorie food by design, but they’re a smart choice when you want a satisfying, portable snack that isn’t full of fillers.

Vegan? Use a plant-based butter alternative and dairy-free mini chocolate chips, and swap the honey for maple syrup. To reduce sugar, skip the chocolate chips (or reduce the quantity) and use unsweetened granola.

The Secret To A Perfectly Chewy Texture

The key to chewy—not crumbly—granola bars is the syrup base. Boiling the butter, honey, and sugar mixture for just the right amount of time helps the ingredients bond the oats and cereal together without becoming brittle. Pressing the mixture very firmly into the pan also makes a big difference—don’t be shy! I like using slightly damp hands (this helps keep the mixture from sticking to you) to really pack it in tight before chilling.

Serving Suggestions

These chewy granola bars are perfect on their own, but you can dress them up, too. Drizzle them with a little melted dark chocolate for an extra treat. For a more filling breakfast, serve them with a Green Smoothie or Coffee Smoothie. They’re also lovely served alongside a Yogurt Parfait for a satisfying after-school snack.

Craving more healthy snacks? Try these Peanut Butter-Banana Protein Balls or my go-to Chocolate Chia Pudding.

Recipe