Copycat Nature Valley Oats and Honey Granola Bars Recipe
Homemade granola bars that capture the signature crunch and sweet honey flavor of Nature Valley's popular oats and honey bars. Made with simple pantry ingredients including oats, coconut oil, and real honey, these bars develop their characteristic crispy texture as they cool. Perfect for lunch boxes, hiking snacks, or when you want that familiar granola bar taste without store-bought additives. The secret lies in partially grinding the oats into flour for better binding while keeping enough whole oats for texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 350 degrees F and line 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on 2 sides
- 2
Place 2 cups oats in large bowl
- 3
Add remaining 1/2 cup oats to blender or food processor and pulse into rough flour
- 4
Add oat flour to bowl with whole oats
- 5
Add baking soda and salt to oat mixture and stir
- 6
Microwave coconut oil in microwavable bowl on High until just melted
- 7
Stir honey, sugar and vanilla into melted coconut oil
- 8
Add wet mixture to oat mixture and stir well to coat oats completely
- 9
Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan and press down firmly and evenly
- 10
Bake for 20 minutes until oats are golden and smell of honey
- 11
Cool on rack for 10 minutes
- 12
Remove from pan using parchment overhangs
- 13
Cut into 8 rectangles while still warm
- 14
Cool completely before wrapping
Tips
Press the mixture firmly into the pan for bars that hold together well when cut
Cut while still warm but cool completely before storing to achieve maximum crispness
Store in airtight container for up to one week at room temperature
Good to Know
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
Can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored covered
Serve at room temperature as portable snack or breakfast bar
Common Mistakes
Press mixture firmly to avoid crumbly bars that fall apart
Cool completely before storing to prevent bars from becoming soggy
Substitutions
Vegan Options
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use steel-cut oats instead?
No, steel-cut oats are too hard and won't bind properly. Stick to quick-cooking or old-fashioned rolled oats for best texture.
What if my bars are too crumbly?
This usually means the mixture wasn't pressed firmly enough or the wet ingredients weren't mixed thoroughly. Make sure to coat all oats completely.
How long do these bars keep?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They'll maintain their crispness best in dry conditions.