Discover the joy of homemade with these unbelievably chewy and delicious Cherry Almond Granola Bars. This recipe is your answer to a quick, healthy, and satisfying snack that blows store-bought versions out of the water. Packed with rolled oats, tart dried cherries, and crunchy almonds, these bars are the perfect on-the-go breakfast, lunchbox treat, or afternoon pick-me-up. Forget complicated recipes; this one is straightforward, uses simple pantry staples, and guarantees perfect results every time.
Why This is the Only Granola Bar Recipe You’ll Ever Need
We’ve all been there: searching for that perfect snack that’s both healthy and genuinely satisfying. These Cherry Almond Granola Bars are the definitive answer. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: We’ve perfected the ratio of wet to dry ingredients, so you get a wonderfully soft and chewy bar that holds together beautifully, not a crumbly mess.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With just 10 minutes of prep time and no fancy equipment needed, this is a recipe anyone can master. Just mix, press, bake, and cool!
- Healthy & Wholesome: Made with whole-food ingredients like oats, almonds, and cherries, these bars are a fantastic source of fiber and energy, without the preservatives found in commercial bars.
- Customizable to Your Taste: While the cherry and almond combination is a classic, we’ll give you plenty of ideas for variations to make this recipe your own.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Almond Granola Bars
The magic of these bars lies in their simplicity. We’re using pantry staples to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient is important.
For the Dry Ingredients:
- Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats are the star. They provide the classic chewy texture and structure. Avoid using quick oats, as they can become mushy.
- Almonds: We use slivered almonds for a delicate crunch that distributes perfectly throughout the bars. You can also use chopped almonds if you prefer.
- Dried Cherries: Sweet-tart dried cherries add a burst of fruity flavor and a delightful chewiness.
- Brown Sugar: This adds sweetness and moisture, contributing significantly to the chewy texture. Light or dark brown sugar will work.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors.
For the Wet Ingredients:
- Unsalted Butter: Butter binds the ingredients together and adds a rich, delicious flavor.
- Honey: Honey is a key binder and adds a wonderful floral sweetness that complements the cherries and almonds. For a similar snack idea, check out these Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract elevates the flavor profile, adding warmth and depth.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Bars
Ready to make the best Cherry Almond Granola Bars of your life? It’s easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for guaranteed success.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This overhang will act as a sling, making it easy to lift the bars out later. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, slivered almonds, dried cherries, brown sugar, and salt. Stir everything together until it’s evenly distributed. This ensures you get a perfect mix of flavors and textures in every single bite.
Step 3: Melt the Wet Ingredients
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and honey together. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble slightly at the edges. Remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Mix Everything Together
Pour the hot liquid mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Use a spatula to stir until all the oats and nuts are thoroughly coated. Work quickly so the mixture doesn’t cool down too much.
Step 5: Press and Bake
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking pan. This is the most critical step for ensuring your bars don’t fall apart! Use the back of the spatula (or your hands, covered with a bit of parchment) to press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the pan. You want to compact it as much as possible. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The center might still look slightly soft.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Let the granola bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. Do not skip this step! Cooling completely is essential for the bars to set and hold their shape. If you try to cut them while warm, they will crumble.
Step 7: Cut and Serve
Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper sling to lift the entire block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into 12 bars. Now they’re ready to enjoy!
Expert Tips and Variations
Want to take your homemade granola bars to the next level? Here are some pro tips and fun variations to try.
Tips for Success
- Press Firmly: The secret to bars that hold together is pressing the mixture very firmly into the pan before baking. Don’t be shy!
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can make the bars dry and hard instead of chewy. Pull them out when the edges are just turning golden.
- Ingredient Swaps: Feel free to swap the almonds for pecans or walnuts, or the dried cherries for cranberries, apricots, or chocolate chips. If you enjoy wholesome, oat-based breakfasts, you might also love these Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Chip Cherry: Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dry ingredients for a decadent twist.
- Coconut Almond: Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup of shredded coconut.
- Spiced Bars: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warmer flavor profile. For more energy-packed snacks, try these Carrot Cake Energy Bites.
How to Store Your Granola Bars
Proper storage is key to keeping your Cherry Almond Granola Bars fresh and delicious. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, you can wrap them individually and freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
FAQs About Cherry Almond Granola Bars
Yes, they are a healthy snack option compared to many store-bought bars. They are made with wholesome ingredients like oats, almonds, and dried fruit, which provide fiber, protein, and energy. Making them at home allows you to control the amount of sugar and avoid preservatives.
Absolutely! To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use certified gluten-free rolled oats. All the other ingredients—almonds, cherries, honey, and butter—are naturally gluten-free. Always double-check your labels to be safe.
The key is using the right binders (like honey and melted butter) and, most importantly, pressing the mixture down very firmly in the pan before baking. Compacting the mixture ensures there are no gaps, and cooling the bars completely for at least 2 hours allows them to set properly.
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, your homemade granola bars will stay fresh and delicious for up to one week. For longer storage, you can wrap them individually and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for granola bars. They provide a chewy, hearty texture that holds up well during baking. Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut oats, as they will result in a mushy or overly hard texture.
Enjoy Your Homemade Snack!
There’s nothing quite like a batch of fresh, homemade Cherry Almond Granola Bars to brighten your week. They’re simple to make, endlessly customizable, and so much better than anything you can buy. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you make them, please leave a comment below or share a picture with us on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see your creations!
Cherry Almond Granola Bars Recipe
Cherry Almond Granola Bars: The Ultimate Chewy & Easy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to use as a sling. Lightly grease the paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, slivered almonds, dried cherries, brown sugar, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and honey, stirring until smooth. Once it starts to bubble at the edges, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the hot butter mixture over the dry oat mixture. Stir with a spatula until everything is thoroughly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press down very firmly and evenly with a spatula or your hands to compact the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. This step is crucial for the bars to set properly.
- Once cooled, use the parchment sling to lift the block out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and cut into 12 bars.
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months.
