Chewy Crispy Rice Granola Bars – From Scratch Recipe

Granola bars are somewhat of a hybrid between a classic rice krispie treat and a granola bar. So simple, easy to make, and perfectly scrumptious!

Homemade versions of things tend to taste better than bought, at least in our opinion. And, when you make something yourself, you know what each ingredient is, which cannot be said for some store-bought granola bars.

Take this granola bar recipe, for instance. It has some of the same ingredients as granola bars from the grocery store, but it tastes way better! Possibly because there are no preservatives? Granted, these homemade granola bars don’t have the shelf life that bought ones would, but still, they’re a great alternative.

They’re very easy to make and contain simple ingredients you maybe already have on hand!

So recently, we were told to bring snacks along on a camping trip for everyone to share. 

That got me thinking, what is a delicious homemade snack that I could make that others might not think of to bring?

Of course there are all the common snack foods: chips, seasoned pretzels, maybe some baked goods, etc. (No sense denying it, I love a big handful of potato chips!)

But I was wanting to take something a little more…well, healthy and filling, I guess.

That’s when I thought of these homemade no bake granola bars. Of course! This easy recipe is the perfect snack!

We’d love to have you follow along with us as we make homemade chewy crispy rice granola bars with our easy granola bar recipe. We think they’re delicious and we hope you do too!

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Eight Simple Ingredients

Marshmallows – large or mini marshmallows; we used large simply because that’s what we had on hand.

Honey – a fourth cup honey adds a little bit of sweetness to these bars.

Peanut butter – mmm, creamy peanut butter is delicious.

Butter – regular salted butter.

Rice Krispies – any brand of crisp rice cereal, really. It doesn’t have to be Rice Krispies.

Oats – we used the old-fashioned oats (rolled oats) but quick oats work just as well, if not better.

Graham cracker crumbs – finely crushed graham crackers.

Chocolate chips – semi-sweet chocolate chips; normal size or the mini chips, it totally doesn’t matter.

Find the full recipe on the recipe card below!

Supplies you may need

• Saucepan – to melt the wet ingredients into one sticky, goo-ey, lovely mixture. 
• Large mixing bowl – where the grand mixing of the chewy granola bars happens.
• Measuring cups and spoons – it’s always a good idea to measure the delicious ingredients. (I admit, sometimes I just wing it and follow my heart!)
• Common kitchen utensils such as a whisk and spatulas – we use these all the time in our kitchen; a stiff spatula is essential for making this recipe!
• 9×13 pan – any pan will work as long as it has at least one inch sides; the one we like to use is like a small jelly roll pan.

How to make Chewy Crispy Rice Granola Bars

Place the rest of the ingredients: crispy rice cereal, rolled oats and crushed graham crackers into a large mixing bowl. (Easily crush the graham crackers into crumbs using your hands or a food processor!)

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, honey, peanut butter and marshmallows. Stir frequently with a whisk until everything is melted into one smooth marshmallow peanut butter mixture.

Once the marshmallow mixture is smooth and melted, pour it carefully into the large bowl of dry ingredients and stir thoroughly to coat everything.

Grease a 9×13 pan or pan of your choice with non-stick cooking spray or butter. 

Transfer the sticky crispy rice granola mixture over to the greased pan.

Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray (the easiest way!) or grease them well with butter or shortening. Flatten the crispy rice granola bar mixture out somewhat then spread on chocolate chips or any add-ins you desire and press the granola mixture firmly into the greased pan. 

Allow the snack bars to cool at room temperature for an hour or so, or refrigerate them for 30-40 minutes.

Cut into squares and enjoy!💛

How do I store homemade granola bars?

Store granola bars in an airtight container:

• at room temperature for a few days
• in the refrigerator for up to two weeks
• in the freezer for up to six months (they’re delicious straight from the freezer!)

Customize your Crispy Rice Granola Bars

The cool thing about homemade granola bars is they are totally customizable!

Don’t care for chocolate chips? No problem. Add any of these: raisins, craisins, your favorite nuts, sunflower seeds, coconut (toasted or not, sweetened or unsweetened – you choose!), M&M’s, vanilla or peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, the list could go on.

Keep in mind, you might not want to add too much of any add-in or the bars won’t stick together as nicely.

Notes

One “fresh stack” pack of graham crackers equals approximately a cup of crushed graham cracker crumbs.

Although this is a great recipe, it’s also a sticky one! It’s very important to grease your hands before the pressing process in step 6 or the mixture will stick to your hands like crazy. Or, you can tear off a length of wax paper and place that on top of the sticky granola mixture already in the pan and press down on the wax paper!

Have you made Chewy Crispy Rice Granola Bars?

Leave a comment below; we’d like to hear about it!

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Thanks for visiting our small town!

Stay awhile and explore more from scratch faves…

No Bake Energy Fiber Balls

Granola Bites

’til next time,

Julie