Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars
Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars inspired by Gingerbread Cookies, plus a simple 5 ingredient formula for creating your own homemade granola bars.
I have never made homemade granola bars. I thought it was time to change that. They looked pretty simple and it’s always nice to have a semi-healthy sweet on hand for a snack or to grab on my way out to take the kids to school if I don’t have time to eat breakfast beforehand.
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Then I had the idea to make gingerbread inspired granola bars. Instead of honey as the sweetener as is used in many recipes I substituted molasses and maple syrup and used plenty of ginger and other gingerbread inspired spices.
I can’t wait to try flavor combos using this easy formula. Next time I’ll make a double batch in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
They store well in the freezer for up to a month. The recipe for the Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars is below, just keep scrolling.
5 Ingredients To Create Your Own Chewy Granola Bars
If you want to customize this recipe to create your own chewy granola bars, just follow the guidelines below! The full recipe for the Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars is at the end of this post.
1. Rolled Grains (i.e. oats): 2 1/2 cups total
- You’ll probably want to use oats for the bulk, but you can use a combination of several different grains. Other ideas include: rye and barley flakes.
- When using oatmeal, be sure to use old fashioned or rolled oats – NOT quick cook oats.
2. Nuts, Seeds, & Spices: 1 cup total Nuts & Seeds, Spices per your discretion.
- Use 1 cup of your favorite nut or a combination of several different nuts.
- Nuts are a good source of protein, fiber and the good fats (omegas). Because they’re calorie dense, they will help fill you up.
- Accent your bars with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or another favorite spice. Or, simply omit.
3. Sticky Sweetener: 1/3 + 1/4 cup
- For something sweet you’ll need a sticky sweetener, such as honey, agave, molasses, maple syrup, etc. Sweetener adds moisture and flavor.
- Use the full amount as one sweetener, or mix up the flavors.
4. Dried Fruits: 1 cup total
- Fruits are what I most look forward to experimenting with. You can change the flavor of the bar so easily with different fruits.
- Fun combinations: triple berry, apple cranberry, pineapple mango
5. Binder: 1 cup total
- This is what will hold the bars together and keep them chewy without over drying.
- These Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars use pureed dates, but get creative. Prunes, Apple Butter, and Almond Butter would be great choices too.
- Just make sure you use something that has a thick consistency that will also add moisture.
Click HERE to save this recipe for Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars to Pinterest!
I am hoping that the kids will be game for eating these homemade granola bars as well since they are so simple to make. I think they’d make a perfect afternoon snack paired with apple slices, or another fruit.
These soft and chewy granola bars really hit the spot for me when I was in need of a little bit of a sweet fix.
More Granola Bar Recipes
Simple, delicious SOFT cherry chocolate chip granola bars made without any weird ingredients. (Gluten free, vegan).
Celebrate fall with these easy to make Pumpkin Chai Chocolate Chip Granola Bars featuring oats, real pumpkin puree, chai spices, mini chocolate chips, and pepitas.
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Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars
Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars inspired by Gingerbread Cookies, plus a simple 5 ingredient formula for creating your own homemade granola bars.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cook)
- 1-2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- In a full-sized food processor, combine the molasses, maple syrup, vanilla, and dates. Pulse three times.
- Add the cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg, and cloves. Puree until mixture is smooth. Add the oats and pulse until the oats are coarsely chopped.
- Remove the oat mixture from the food processor and transfer to a medium bowl, taking care to scrape the edges of the food processor to remove all of the mixture.
- Stir in the cranberries, pecans, apricots, and sunflower seeds until well mixed.
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper (Kitchen Tip: Lining Pans with Parchment).
- Press the oat mixture into the baking pan until the mixture is evenly distributed throughout the pan and tightly packed.
- Bake at 325 degrees F for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, cool in the freezer until the bars are firm.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan, remove, and cut into 8-12 bars.
Notes
Store bars in an airtight container for up to a week. Bars may be frozen for up to a month and thawed as needed.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 262mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 5gSugar: 32gProtein: 4g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Tracy says
Love the formula! I definitely want to give my own granola a try!
Winnie says
These look awesome. I have not had much luck with homemade granola bars- definitely going to give these a try!
Kori says
Yum! I love your idea to use molasses! I’ll have to remember that next time.
thatssoron says
wow great . awesome recipe!
ann says
These look so great and your instructions are so helpful.
Lauren from Lauren's Latest says
The “5 ingredients to create your own granola bars” lays it out so easily! Anyone can do this! I love that you make this so approachable.
Heather (Gluten-Free Cat) says
What a lovely guide! I’ve been wanting to try making granola bars, but I wasn’t sure what ratios to start with. I’m diving in!
Kristen says
I’ve never made homemade granola bars either. Love the ribbon you used in your photo!
Kelly Lester says
These will be perfect for my girls to grab and go in between school and dance classes. They love to bake so I know they’ll have fun coming up with different ideas for these. Fab!! Thank you 🙂
Aliza says
Thank you so much for the tutorial! I’ve been playing with granola bar recipes for awhile, ever since I started reading the ingredients on the back of my “all natural” granola bars. Most recipes I’ve made use peanut butter, but I have been looking for a different flavor. Now with your guidelines, the possibilities of flavor are endless! I will be stopping at the store on the way home today.
sylvie of silver lining says
LOVE. gingerbread is one of my all time favorites and a granola bar version is a terrific and tasty idea! i’ll be passing this recipe onto my wonderful readers this morning, too. thank you!
Angela@RecipesFromMyMom says
What a beautiful breakfast! I don’t think I would change a thing from your recipe but the variation instructions are great.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I meant to make granola bars the other week but never got around to it. Love all of the suggestions you gave.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i love that this is a method recipe and doesn’t have to be exactly like the one you made…customization is fun! 🙂
Cait @ A Bicycle Built for Two says
I love how easily everyone can make this recipe “their own” with different nuts & fruits. Thanks!
Liz @ Blog is the New Black says
I haven’t made homemade granola bars yet! I am dying to…