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.
Click HERE to save this recipe for Molasses and Ginger Granola Bars to Pinterest!
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.
Get More Recipes via Email
Did you love this recipe? Sign up to receive Good Life Eats Email Updates and never miss another recipe!
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 cupΒ MedjoolΒ 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.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
Sheila says
Thanks for your recipe. As presented it sounds AMAZING!. However, I was looking for a recipe that would allow customization and this fit the bill perfectly. I have borderline iron levels and wanted a fiber bar I could pack full of high iron ingredients like molasses, cashews, dried apricots etc. Can’t wait to make these once I get back from the grocery!
Marian Rabe says
Iβve made these bars with 3 different βbinders.ββ Also tried different dried fruits, and they are always delicious. Β My daughters asked about the nutritional info; the sugar, calories and carbs per bar suggest each one is a meal substitute Β alone. My batch is cut into 12 or 15 bars so proportionally the amounts are smaller. Β
The ingredients are healthy and nutrient dense, but the totals are more than Iβd like to consume for a snack. Β
Katie says
I’m so glad that you liked the bars! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and let me know. π I have updated the nutritional information for 12 bars in the post so you can see what that is. For 15 bars it would be as follows: calories: 207 fat: 6 carbs: 38 fiber: 4 sugar: 25 (these are all estimates as I use a program to generate nutritional data for the recipes). Have a great day!
Stephanie says
I was looking for a new recipe to use molasses but I’d never imagined using ginger with it in a granola bar. I made these and I’m so impressed. I really did need a new granola bar recipe and this one hit the spot. My kids like them too. I’ll be making these again soon.
dinah says
This recipe sounds good and I’m going to try it. Β Love molasses and have been making my own brown sugar for years. So much easier to make what is needed than to store brown sugar. Β One thing that would be nice is some nutrition information about calories, sugar, fat and salt content.
siewlingchaw says
why is it that we can’t use instant quick oats for this recipe ? π
Katie says
Because I did not test the recipe using instant quick oats and therefore cannot endorse as to whether or not it works to achieve desired results.
Mary Lou says
Katie,
I’ve been looking for a good granola bar recipe and yours looks the best so far. I have them in the oven now and will post your recipe on my blog. Thanks!
Leah Adams says
I currently have some granola bars in the oven, just waiting to come out. I made mine with my granola mix, rolled oats, wheat, barley, & rye. I added honey & some pomegranate syrup, as well as nutmeg, mace, ginger, cinnamon, cloves & vanilla. To round it out, there are walnuts & almonds and cranberries & dates. I can’t wait to see how they come out!
Audrey Ellen says
Hi Katie!
Sorry about the mixup with your recipe. Thanks for putting this together and I can’t wait to try other options. I appreciate you letting me know what I’m doing wrong here on the blogosphere, I am new at it. And I hope you have a chance to look at my blog sometime when it’s not about my errors, I am trying to get the hang of it.
Thanks for the recipe, and great looking site!
Chad says
I’ve made similar granola bars for over a year now and stumbled onto using molasses or pancake syrup when I ran out of honey. Another tip that I stumbled upon quite by accident was storing the granola bars in a freshly emptied out coffee can. The trace amounts of coffee grounds get picked up by the sticky bars and gives an eye opening invigorating boost to the bars. Look forward to the next post.
April says
http://organiquegal.com/chewy-granola-bar-formula-chocolate-chip-coconut.html
I made these granola bars and gave you credit in my blog post. π They turned out AMAZING!!!
michelle says
I made these today and they are yummy! I used quick oats and it turned out a little crumblier than pictured above, but still yummy! The molasses is not overpowering, it is about the same amount of flavor you would taste in gingerbread or molasses cookies.
Suzanne says
I have been interested in making granola bars and granola in general, but the ingredients used seem expensive. Dried fruit is probably the most expensive. Does anyone have a general idea on how much a batch of 8 bars costs? Also, does anyone have recommendations on good places to buy dried fruit? Thanks!
Katie says
I have not calculated out how much the batch costs. I like to buy dried fruit at Costco. Dried cranberries are particularly inexpensive.
mary n says
Can’t wait to try it. I use the suggestion of another blogger and put mine in a muffin tin, that way they come out pre-portioned.
Candy Sartell says
I made these. A departure from your typical granola bar. This one is lovely, so full of flavor which I love. Store bought granola bars typically taste like sawdust and are a far cry from the “healthy” reputation they would have us believe them to be. These are so simple to make and the Molasses/Ginger is reminiscent of the old-fashioned brown bread. Allow a bar to come to room temperature. The flavor is heightened and it’s a softer,gooey treat. Thanks for sharing… and the suggested alternatives!
Amy says
Wow–these were so good. I had to take them to work and share them so I would not eat the whole batch myself. Now everyone wants your recipe, and I am happy to oblige! At first I thought the molasses was a bit strong but they quickly became strangely addictive. I may try less molasses next time and add some honey in instead. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!
Chocolate Freckles says
Why would you need to buy any unhealthy preackage stuff with tons of salt when you can actually make your own and control how much you add into it!
Shaina says
Love how these look. I’m always looking to expand our granola bar love.
Holli says
These look beautiful. I love how easily you present them and allow the baker room for creativity. Thanks for putting this out there! I can’t wait to make them!
Cheers,
Holli
Lindsey says
Yum; they are in the oven right now. I’ve been looking for a good granola recipe for a while to avoid all the processed ingredients. This looks like a winner!
Dori says
I love granola bars for their convenience and tastiness, especially on mornings when I’m rushing to school. Thanks for the great recipe!
The Food Hunter says
I’ve been wanting to try making granola bars..thanks for this great recipe
consu says
I am a big fan of granola. Now you gave me the perfect “excuse” to try to make some of my own. Thank you.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Spicy! I love all those yummy spices in the recipe, it’s like a molasses ginger cookie but better for you π
Kathi says
When in an air tight container does it have to refrigerated?
Katie says
No, unless you plan on storing them for more than a week. They can also store frozen in a container for up to a month or so.
Kasey says
I’ve never made my own granola bars and these look fabulous!! Definitely bookmarking this one π
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
LOVE this post! What a great formula. I have made homemade granola bars before, but I’ve always been “tied” to a specific recipe. I will absolutely be making some granola bars over the weekend for snacks next week!
Erica says
Can you suggest any other things to use as binders?
Katie says
Any kind of nut butter or thick fruit – figs, prunes, dates, (applesauce might be too thin, I haven’t tried that yet). Just substitute whatever you choose, i.e. dried figs, and puree with the ingredients listed in step one of my example recipe. Hope that helps.
Cecelia says
Thank you so much for posting this formula! very helpful
Lisa {Smart Food & Fit} says
Great post, we make homemade granola and homemade granola and protein bars all the time!
I just started “name this product” on my food blog. The ingredient list for store bought granola bars will be on my “name this product? ” post, (near future). Your recipe is definitely a more nutritious one compared to many store bought ones!
Jennifer says
Why should you not use quick oat for granola bars?
Katie says
Because I did not create this recipe using quick oats and therefore cannot guarantee how or what it will turn out like. If you’d like to take the risk, that is fine just know that I’m not able to vouch for how they will turn out.
Jennifer says
Okay, I wanted to try this recipe but all I have a quick oats. I guess I will just try it and see how they turn out! Thanks!
Jennifer says
Okay, I wanted to try this recipe but all I have a quick oats. I guess I will just try it and see how they turn out! Thanks!
Lynda@Me and My Pink Mixer says
I’ve been making my own granola bars for about 2 months now and love them. So much better than store bought! I use peanut butter and rice syrup for my binder and keep them in the fridge. Yours look yummy ~ love the addition of the dried fruit.
Andrea [bella eats] says
Hi Katie! I’ve just discovered your blog…it is so lovely! Your food photography is gorgeous and your recipes are very accessible. I look forward to reading more!
Happy When Not Hungry says
I love making homemade granola bars! Yours look delicious too. Thanks for the tips!
Cheryl Smithem says
Once again, I’m inspired by your carefully thought out recipe and the incredible photography. We don’t eat many granola bars, but you’ve made me want to make some with this recipe. The other benefit of molasses is the wonderful nutritional bonuses you get: iron, calcium, copper and manganese as well as a good source of potassium and magnesium.
Casa e Cose says
Will do this with my son tonight! He is allergic to milk protein so im allways in the search for happy healthy and yummi things for him!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
I love how you break down the ratios of your granola bar recipe for customization-thanks! I love molasses-sweetened treats so I think your recipe sounds perfect.
Lisa@ Dishes of Mrs. Fish says
Thanks for the helpful tips! I am planning on making homemade granola bars soon, so I LOVED this post. π
Sues says
These look awesome! I love homemade granola, but need to try it in bar form. I have a feeling I’d really enjoy the ginger flavor π
Kat @ Cupcake Kat says
I love the formula you give for creating your own granola bars. I’m going to try it out. The bars you’ve made sound delightful.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
Katie, you’re killing me. Those look like something you’d get at a tiny family owned bakery and I’d happily pay $3 a bar. Gorgeous photos!
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 π
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! π
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…