Whole Foods Homemade Granola Bars
Whole Foods Homemade Granola Bars – A copycat version of Whole Foods Granola Bars recipe that is soft, chewy, easy to make, and so delicious!
Homemade Granola Bar Recipe
Amazing homemade bars just like the ones you buy at Whole Foods Market. This copycat version of Whole Foods Granola Bars is a lunch box staple in our house, because they save money and are completely irresistible! Plus, this is an actual healthy granola bar recipe!
You know those moist chewy granola bars that are always sitting up at the checkout counter at Whole Foods Market, begging to be purchased?
The ones that cost around $2.50 – $5.00 a chunk, but are so wonderful you can’t stop yourself from buying them every time you enter the store??
(Surely I’m not the only one who does this.)
Homemade Bars
We’re making that healthy granola bars recipe today… We’re making a lot of them for a lot less money.
In fact, most of the items necessary are always in my pantry and freezer. The first time I made these bars, I only needed to buy brown rice syrup to create these ultra moist and chewy copycat Whole Foods Homemade Granola Bars, packed with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and coconut.
And even if you don’t have a freezer/pantry full of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit like I do, you’ll still save money by buying the ingredients from the bulk bins in your grocery store.
What Ingredients You Will Need
- Whole oats (or part oats + part oat bran)
- Raw almonds, whole or sliced
- Raw cashews, chopped
- Raw pepitas
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Dried cranberries
- Raisins
- Sesame seeds
- Brown sugar, or substitute palm sugar
- Honey
- Brown rice syrup
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt (or swap 1/2 teaspoon sea salt for kosher salt)
How to Make Granola Bars
Instructions…
- Place the ground and whole oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, and dried fruit in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Line a large 13×18-inch rimmed baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
- Place the brown sugar, honey, brown rice syrup, and coconut oil in a sauce pot over high heat. Bring to a roaring boil, stir well, then remove from heat immediately. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Then pour the syrup over the dry ingredients.
- Mix well, so that all the dry ingredients are coated, then scoop the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the mixture out evenly in the pan. Use another sheet of wax paper to press down on the mixture until flat and packed. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set, then cut into squares. Wrap well, and store in the refrigerator, or in a cool dark place for up to 2 weeks.
Seriously, it’s that easy.
Notable Tips
Brown rice syrup is a key component in the homemade granola bars recipe because it holds the mixture together better than any other “healthy” syrup available.
Also note, the texture of store-bought Whole Foods Granola Bars is slightly finer than what you see here. In the recipe below, I’m asking you to grind part of the oats to help the mixture pack and hold together. Yet, you could grind all the oats if you want a finer texture. We just personally like a little more chunk in our bars.
My kids beg for my copycat version of Whole Foods Granola Bars, and I never mind making them because they are such a time and money saver.
I even slip one in my purse when I head out to Whole Foods Market, so I’m not tempted to buy one at the counter. *wink*
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do These Healthy Granola Bars Last?
You can store these healthy snacks in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for 1 to 2 weeks.
What Other Variations Can I Make With This Dish?
You could add in flavor by mixing in sunflower seeds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, banana chips, cinnamon, slice apricots, unsweetened coconut, or mini chocolate chips as some wholesome ingredients as mix-ins.
Other Bars To Check Out
- Peanut Butter Granola Bars by A Couple Cooks
- Paleo Bars with Nuts and Chocolate Drizzle
- Breakfast Oat Bar
- Keto Cereal Bars (Low Carb)
- Energy Oatmeal Bites
Check out the printable recipe card below for nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, cholesterol, protein, and fiber percentages. Make sure to share this recipe on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Whole Foods Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole oats, or 3 1/4 cups oats + 3/4 cup oat bran
- 3/4 cup raw almonds, whole or sliced
- 3/4 cup raw cashews, chopped
- 1/2 cup raw pepitas
- 2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/3 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, or substitute palm sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup brown rice syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Pour 1 1/2 cups oats in a food processor. Pulse until finely ground.
- Place the ground and remaining whole oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, and dried fruit in a large bowl. Mix well. Line a large 13×18-inch rimmed baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
- Place the brown sugar, honey, brown rice syrup, and coconut oil in a sauce pot over high heat. Bring to a roaring boil, stir well, then remove from heat immediately. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Then pour the syrup over the dry ingredients.
- Mix well, so that all the dry ingredients are coated, then scoop the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the mixture out evenly. Use another sheet of wax paper to press down on the mixture until flat and packed. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set, then cut into squares. Wrap well, and store in the refrigerator, or in a cool dark place for up to 2 weeks.
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Has anyone tried to bake these? I love the Whole Foods Bars and wanted to try to make them . The bars in the store appear to be browned on the pan edge sides. I don’t see that your recipe calls for baking. Kindly advise. And thanks for the recipe.
I was wondering what the nutritional values are for this granola bar. Is there a way to find out?
I made these this weekend and they are FANTASTIC! I love that they are easy to make and can be easily changed for several flavor profiles. A great go to snack. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
OMG I just made these and they are so good! I just used whatever nuts and dried fruit I had in the cupboard with the same measurements listed above. I also only needed to buy one ingredient (the brown rice syrup). My kids werent thrilled with them during the first tasting (they are used to peanut butter as one of the main ingredients in the granola bars I have made in the past) but thats ok as it means more for me! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Sommer, just found your blog, and love the granola recipe….in the ingredients you say 4 1/2 cups oats, but in the insrtructions you only used 1 1/2 cups ! when do you use the rest of the oats ?
One of your reviewera asked, but I did not see an answer…. can you please email me the correct amts. and where the rest of the oats are used ?
Thanks,
Hi There! Sorry for the confusion… In step 2 you add the ground and the remaining whole oats to the mixture. Happy Cooking!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Sommer! The recipe is perfect & perfectly delicious!! You have made my taste buds dance for joy :)
I’ve made this bar twice already!! They r awesome.. I’m going to donate these bars for bake sale. I’m sure it will be hit!!!
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I absolutely love these bars and was searching everywhere for the whole foods recipe; so glad I found your site! Do you know how many calories are in each bar though? I tried to put this recipe into my fitness pal and it said 155 calories per bar (if you split your batch into 35 servings). I cut them into whole foods size at about 4″x4″ square which made about 6-7 bars per batch which would then make each bar over 900 calories. Do you think this is accurate? Just wondering if I should be watching the amount I consume a little closer; it is so easy to eat these delicious bars!
The Whole Foods bats are between 750 and 900 calories per bar depending on size.
Yummy yummy. This is a perfect recipe. Thank you <3
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Have made these twice now. The recipe is simply perfect. Even my dad, niece and sister liked them….and they’re often quite suspicious and skeptical of any healthy food I make them. Thanks for this recipe – it’s a keeper.
Just made these for my track running, gluten free, eating me out of house and home teenage son. Delicious! And HE loves them, too! I changed things up based on what I had here…..added chia, flax, and cacao nibs. Omitted coconut, raisins, and sesame seeds. Left out the oil on accident, oops! Still hold together well (thanks for the tip to use the wax paper. Worked like a charm to press it all down really well Great recipe!!
Just made these today for the first time. Couldn’t find brown rice syrup so substituted pure cane syrup and they are holding together very well. Love these! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Hi Jamie! I’ve made them with just honey and maple syrup before. They will hold together if you keep them in the fridge, but not so much in the pantry.
Sounds great! One question. I read recently about arsenic in rice and rice products. Do you know if the rice syrup is arsenic free?
Thanks!
The last granola bars I made completely fell apart – this recipe looks much more substantial (and delicious)! I WILL be trying this soon.