20-Minute No-Bake Cinnamon Apple Granola Bars
These chewy no-bake bars combine crunchy Chex cereal with dried apples, sliced almonds, and sweet cranberries in a brown sugar corn syrup binding. Perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or hiking fuel, they require no baking and set up quickly in the refrigerator. The buttery corn syrup mixture creates the perfect chewy texture that holds everything together while letting the fruit and nut flavors shine through.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cinnamon Chex or Rice Chex cereal
- ⅝ cup dried apples, choppeddried dates1:14Full guide →
- ½ cup sliced almondschopped pecans1:15Full guide →
- ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
- ½ cup light corn syruphoney1:14Full guide →
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- 1
Line bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with foil and spray with cooking spray
- 2
Mix cereal, apples, almonds and cranberries in large bowl and set aside
- 3
Microwave butter, corn syrup and brown sugar uncovered on High for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until mixture is boiling and slightly thickened
- 4
Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture and stir until evenly coated
- 5
Using buttered back of spoon, press mixture firmly into prepared pan
- 6
Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm enough to cut
- 7
Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows to make 16 bars
Tips
Use buttered spoon or hands to press mixture firmly for bars that hold together well
Let bars come to room temperature for easier cutting if refrigerated longer than needed
Store pieces between parchment paper to prevent sticking if stacking
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature up to 1 week
Can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored covered at room temperature
Cut into bars and serve at room temperature
Common Mistakes
Press mixture firmly to avoid crumbly bars that fall apart
Don't skip refrigeration time or bars won't hold their shape when cut
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use different dried fruits?
Yes, substitute equal amounts of dried cherries, raisins, or chopped dried pears for the apples and cranberries.
How long do these bars keep?
Store covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. They may soften slightly over time but remain tasty.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before eating.