Trail Mix Granola Bars Recipe

Trail Mix Granola Bars are a customizable healthy snack made with rolled oats and an enticing blend of nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate chips. Blended with natural peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and optional shredded coconut, this binding mixture forms delicious chewy bars ideal for quick breakfasts or satisfying snacks.

I’ve been experimenting with different healthy snacks and these Trail Mix Granola Bars quickly became a favorite of mine. I discovered they are a fantastic option when I wanted a snack or even a quick on-the-go breakfast that is packed with nutrients.

Using only ingredients I trust like 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup trail mix (mixing nuts, dried fruits and a couple of chocolate chips), 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, and 1/3 cup honey means these are full of energy and natural goodness. I also add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt to bring out the flavors; optional shredded coconut is a nice bonus if you like the extra texture.

I appreciate how these homemade bars, similar to granola energy bars or granola bar ideas I’ve seen promoted for healthy lifestyles, can be made without baking. They are simple, nutritious and made with everyday kitchen staples.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it is so easy to make and it doesn’t require any baking. I just mix everything together and let it chill in the fridge and voila, a tasty snack is ready.

I also like how customizable it is. Sometimes I add the shredded coconut and other times I skip it based on what I’m in the mood for.

Another reason is that it feels really healthy without sacrificing flavor. The combination of oats, trail mix, and that sweet peanut butter and honey mixture gives me a balanced energy boost during busy days.

Finally, these granola bars remind me of the chewy ones I used to enjoy as a kid, which makes eating them even more special for me.

Ingredients

• Old fashioned rolled oats are full of fiber and carbs that gives long lasting energy.
• Trail mix has nuts and dried fruits which add protein and a bit of sweetness.
• Natural peanut butter brings healthy fats and binds the bars together real well.
• Honey is a natural sweetener that helps keep the bars moist and tasty.
• Vanilla extract gives a warm flavor that lifts and unites all the ingredients.
• Salt boosts the overall taste and balances the natural sweetness in the mix.
• If used, shredded coconut adds a slight tropical note and extra texture.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup trail mix (a mix of nuts, dried fruits and a few chocolate chips)
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

How to Make this

1. Preheat your pan by lining an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup of your trail mix, and if you want, add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut.

3. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter), 1/3 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt over low heat. Don’t let it boil; just warm it up until it’s smooth.

4. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients.

5. Mix everything up until the oats and trail mix are evenly coated. It might take a minute so be patient.

6. Press the mixture firmly into the lined pan using the back of a spoon or your clean hands to make sure its really packed down.

7. Pop the pan in the fridge for at least two hours so the bars can set up nice and solid.

8. After the bars have chilled, take them out of the pan and cut them into squares or rectangles.

9. Enjoy these chewy granola bars as a quick snack or grab one in the morning when you’re in a rush!

Equipment Needed

1. 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper
2. Large bowl for mixing the dry ingredients
3. Measuring cups and spoons to get all the ingredients right
4. Small saucepan to warm up the peanut butter mixture
5. A spoon or spatula for stirring and then for pressing the mix into the pan
6. A refrigerator so you can chill the bars properly
7. A knife for cutting the bars once they have been chilled

FAQ

Trail Mix Granola Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• For the 2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats, you can try using gluten free oats or even quick oats if you’re in a rush, though quick oats may make the texture a bit softer.
• If you don’t have that mix in your trail mix, you could use a simple combo of raisins, chopped almonds, and a few dark chocolate chips instead which still gives you that sweet and crunchy bite.
• Instead of using natural peanut butter or almond butter, swap it with cashew butter or sunflower seed butter if you wanna try something a bit different, it still works just fine.
• For the honey, you can replace it with maple syrup or agave nectar if you’re looking for a vegan option or just want a slightly different flavour profile.

Pro Tips

1. When you heat up the peanut butter mixture, keep it on low heat and stir constantly so it doesn’t burn; a burnt mixture will ruin the taste of your bars.
2. Make sure you pack the mixture real firm into the pan. If it’s loose when you chill it, the bars could fall apart when you cut them.
3. Mix your dry ingredients thoroughly before you add the warm mix. This helps to evenly spread out the trail mix and optional coconut so each bar has a bit of everything.
4. Let the bars chill for at least two hours. skimping on the chill time might result in bars that crumble when you try to cut them up.