Description
Cozy up with the warm, comforting flavors of chai in these homemade Chai-Spiced Granola Bars! Perfectly chewy, crunchy, and portable, these easy-to-make bars are ideal for breakfast, snacks, or healthy desserts. Infused with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves, they are a delightful twist on traditional granola bars and a much healthier homemade option.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (240g) Rolled Oats
- 1 ½ cups (180g) Mixed Nuts, roughly chopped (almonds, walnuts, pecans recommended)
- 2 tablespoons Chai Spice Blend (or homemade: cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg)
- ½ cup (100g) Brown Sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) Maple Syrup
- ¼ cup (60g) Coconut Oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- Optional Add-ins (½ cup total): Dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, chocolate chips, shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, mixed nuts, chai spice blend, brown sugar, and salt. Stir to distribute spices and sugar.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, melt coconut oil. Whisk in maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until evenly moistened and slightly sticky.
- Fold in optional add-ins if using.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and firmly press evenly using hands or a spatula.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden brown and center is set.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (at least 2-3 hours or refrigerate for 1 hour to speed up).
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang and cut into desired sizes.
Notes
- Press Firmly: For bars that hold together, press the granola mixture firmly into the pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it down.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until edges are golden and center is set to avoid dry bars.
- Cool Completely: Let bars cool completely before cutting to firm up properly. Refrigerate to speed up cooling.
- Customize Spices: Adjust chai spice blend to your taste.
- Quality Ingredients: Use good quality oats, fresh spices, and pure maple syrup for best flavor.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for up to two weeks. Freeze for longer storage (up to 2-3 months).
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Vegan: Recipe is naturally vegan.
- Nut-Free: Substitute nuts with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- Add Protein: Add protein powder or chia/flax seeds.
- Chocolate Chai: Add chocolate chips or chunks.
- Dried Fruit Fun: Experiment with different dried fruits.
- Crumbly Bars Fix: Press mixture firmly and ensure correct wet ingredient measurements.
- Reduce Sugar: Can reduce sugar slightly, but may affect binding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220-250
- Sugar: 10-15g
- Sodium: 50-75mg
- Fat: 12-15g
- Saturated Fat: 6-8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6-7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25-30g
- Fiber: 3-4g
- Protein: 4-5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Chai-Spiced Granola Bars, granola bars, chai spice, snack, healthy snack, breakfast, make-ahead, portable, grab-and-go, homemade granola bars