Whole Foods Homemade Granola Bars
by Sommer Collier — last updated on May 12, 2024 
Whole Foods Homemade Granola Bars – A copycat version of Whole Foods Granola Bars recipe that is soft, chewy, easy to make, and so delicious!
Why We Love This 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.)
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.
We loooove the Whole Foods copycat granola bars! But I do have a question. . . .I have made the recipe twice and each time they fall apart whEn I cut them. . .even after they’ve been sitting in the refrigerator for a few hours. Should I put them in the oven? What do you recommend?
Hi Caitlin,
Hmmm…. Have you changed any of the ingredients? The honey or brown rice syrup possibly?
Is there any substitute for brown rice syrup?
Hi Adriana,
Brown rice syrup is thick, like corn syrup. You can use any liquid sweetener with the same thick sticky consistency. (Honey, Malt Barley…)
I actually made these years ago – loooove them! So glad to have rediscovered your recipe (which I will now print and add to my recipe binder!). I have a question though. Is refrigeration required or just preferable? I don’t see any of the ingredients being perishable and I don’t like/can’t chew on cold foods. Curious, thanks!
Made these without the rice syrup and turned out fine. Just a little crumbly at room temperature. Taste was awesome. Thank you
Sommer,
Made about three dozen bars last weekend by loosely using your recipe. I added things like sunflower seeds, pistachios, walnuts & some peanut butter, but the rest was pretty much the same. This is my 2nd or 3rd attempt at making relatively healthy granola bars at home and none have come close to these.
I made the mistake of bringing some into work and now everyone wants more.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi there, today I will be making your copycat granola…looks so yummy!
I have everything except the brown rice syrup. I live in a very small town we do not have a health food store here ..is the a substitute for the brown rice syrup?
Thanks,
Denise
So I made these and they are absolutely the best!!! I used Karo corn syrup only because I did not have brown rice syrup.
Thank you for the recipe..it’s a keeper!
This recipe is absolutely delicious!!!
I make this recipe all the time- so easy and SO good!!
I can’t wait to make them as I am right now eating one from Whole Foods. I did notice, however, that you left out the Sunflower Seeds, also listed as an ingredient on the Whole Foods brars.
I buy the bars at Whole Foods at least once a week and love them. This recipe is spot-on. I will make these again and again. The colors are also perfect to do little Christmas “happies” for friends and co-workers. The recipe was easy to follow. Tip: If these sit in the fridge all day before you have a chance to cut them, you will have your work cut out for you. Better to do after two hours as suggested. Thank you!
I am so happy to find this recipe! I eat a WF granola bar almost daily for breakfast. That’s @ $84 a month for just me. I was specifically looking for a similar recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
made these the other day, they are amazing!! thanks for the recipe :)