Alton Brown Granola Bars Recipe

This chewy, nutty Alton Brown Granola Bars Recipe is packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, and dried fruit, all held together with honey and brown sugar. These bars offer the perfect balance of texture and flavor, making them an ideal on-the-go breakfast or healthy snack. From start to finish, the recipe takes about 50 minutes and yields 16 delicious bars. Pair them with a smoothie or yogurt for a complete morning meal or keep them in your bag for a midday energy boost.

Alton Brown Granola Bars Recipe Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 1/2 ounces chopped dried fruit (apricots, cherries, blueberries, or any combo)

How To Make Alton Brown Granola Bars Recipe

1. Prep the pan: Butter an 8-by-11.5-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Toast the dry ingredients: Spread oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ on a half-sheet pan. Toast in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Make the binder: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves completely.
4. Combine and mix: Lower oven temp to 300ºF. Add the toasted oat mixture and chopped dried fruit to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
5. Shape and bake: Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
6. Cool and cut: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 16 squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Recipe Tips

• Use rolled oats, not quick oats: They provide better structure and chew.
• Toast for flavor: Lightly toasting the oats and nuts enhances the overall depth of flavor.
• Compact the mixture: Press down firmly in the pan to ensure bars hold together well.
• Choose your fruit: Use any combination of dried fruit you like—just chop larger pieces for even distribution.
• Cool completely before cutting: This helps the bars set up and makes cleaner cuts.

How To Serve Granola Bars

These granola bars are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them crumbled over Greek yogurt, alongside a cup of coffee, or with a piece of fruit for a balanced snack. They’re also great for school lunches, hiking trips, or meal-prepping for the week ahead.

How To Store Granola Bars

Room Temperature: Store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Wrap bars individually and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or microwave for a few seconds to soften.

Granola Bars Nutrition Facts (per bar)

• Calories: 190
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Sugar: 14g
• Protein: 4g
• Sodium: 60mg

FAQs

Can I make these bars less sweet?
Yes, reduce the honey or brown sugar slightly, but note that they may be less cohesive.

What can I substitute for wheat germ?
Try ground flaxseed or extra oats if wheat germ isn’t available.

Can I add chocolate chips?
Sure! Just let the mixture cool slightly before adding so the chips don’t melt.

How do I make them more crunchy?
Bake for a few extra minutes and skip the dried fruit, which softens the texture.

Are these gluten-free?
Use certified gluten-free oats and double-check all other ingredients to ensure they’re gluten-free.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Corned Beef Recipe
• Alton Brown Pizza Dough Recipe
• Alton Brown Creme Brulee Recipe