Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
After I graduated from college I did a short stint at an advertising agency and then I took my first full-time job in the cube-laden world of corporate America. As most young, eager college graduates, I looked at my new opportunity as a mountain of potential. I felt like a bona fide grown up – I got up early every morning, got dressed in my business casual attire, went to meetings, and became better at what I did. Ahh, the enthusiasm of the young buck (in my case, young doe, of course). By the end of my time in corporate America I had a plethora of stomach issues, was getting migraines about once every 7-10 days, and loathed my boss’ voice more than anything in the world. If I got to my desk in the morning and the red voicemail link was blinking (she was notorious for leaving messages at 5am, because she enjoyed working that early), I got nauseous. When I heard the wheels of her little pull-along briefcase rolling down the cube aisle I wanted to hide under my desk. The phrase “going above and beyond” was showing up in my nightmares. Clearly, corporate America had taken a toll on me. The one constant through all of my time spent there? Through the good, the bad, and the ugly?
Chocolate chip granola bars.
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I always had a box stashed in my desk drawer just in case I got a case of the hungries and had to rush off to a meeting or needed an afternoon pick-me-up. I loved that they were soft and chewy, and of course that they had chocolate in them. I am honestly not sure if I’ve eaten even one since I stopped working in an office, but they’re the one food that I associate with that time in my life. They got me through some killer afternoons.
Recently, one of my best friends mentioned that she was trying out some of my granola bar recipes to find a homemade replacement for her husband’s infatuation with the same packaged chewy chocolate chip granola bars that I loved. I wasn’t sure that any of them would be an exact match, but lo and behold less than a week later this recipe popped up on Lauren’s blog. I was certain that it was fate and set out to make them immediately so I could report back to my friend on a possible recipe for her. The verdict? These taste pretty much EXACTLY like the ones I lived on for years. They have a tad bit more honey flavor, but aside from that the flavor, the texture, the appearance – a spot-on match. I was astounded, actually! Throw in the fact that these can be whipped up in 10 minutes and require no oven, it’s pretty much a no-brainer to make these instead of going to the store to buy the packaged version!
This recipe is dedicated to everyone toiling away in a cubicle. Make these, keep them at your desk, and enjoy a homemade, non-processed treat when you get a craving in the middle of the work day.
Four years ago: French Bread
Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (73.33 g) light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (84.75 ml) honey
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups (162 g) quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup (18.67 g) crispy rice cereal
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan; set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir the oats and rice cereal together; set aside. In a small saucepan, melt the brown sugar, honey, and butter together over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour the oat mixture into the prepared pan and press down to ensure that the ingredients are tightly compacted in the pan. Sprinkle the top evenly with the miniature chocolate chips and press down on the top lightly with the back of a spoon.
- Cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Back when I was working in the Actuarial Field I also lived off granola bars…actually being a stay at home mom it is still my go to snack (just finished eating one). This looks so easy to make and I much prefer to make at home since I know what is going in. Pinned this & will be trying them out soon. Thx for sharing!
Isn’t it funny how we hold onto certain stimuli from stressful times of our lives? I can’t look at purple low-calorie Gatorade outside of work, because it’s what I drink on particularly hot and stressful days to keep me alive. Working on getting away from that job..
These granola bars look fluffy and wonderful. I have never ever tried to make them homemade!
I’m so excited to try these! One of my kids is allergic to nuts & coconut and it’s become increasingly difficult to find them at the store without either.
Thank you so much!
These look perfect! I love granola bars; adding Rice Krispies to my grocery list right now!
Your recipes always end up in my pinterest! Looks great!!
These are such a healthy snack and they sound easy to make too. Lucky for us that you’re not in the cube-laden world anymore.
I never knew it was that simple. prefect for a afternoon snack for my girls! :-)
Looks delicious! would have to try!
I can *TOTALLY* relate to this! I’ll be making these this weekend!
You all have made me so glad not to be in the corporate world. The stay-at-home world gets a little dull sometimes but at least I don’t hate facing the day. Thanks for helping me to think about the other side.
these look great! planning on making a batch this weekend.
I’m laughing in my cube as I read this. It’s all so true. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks!
I’m putting these on my to-make list right now! Granola bars was one of the foods that got me through five years of grad school :)
These are perfect!! This is a great snack to take to work! I totally love this!!
Ugh I know that feeling with the blinking red light – I always dreaded it so much. Glad you’ve found something that makes you happier :) These granola bars are on my to-do list too, yours look great!
I meant to make granola bars in September – an attempt at making super awesome homemade snacks for oldest to bring to preschool for snack… it never happened. I’m totally giving this a shot sometime!
Coming to you live from my cubicle…thank you. ;)
I want to try this, I am going vegan for lent (my religion requires this) so I think these will be great with earth balance too.
I love when I come across fabulous recipes and realize I already have 80% of the ingredients in my cupboards :) I’m also tempted to add in some peanut butter, as pb & choc granola bars are my favorite!
Do it! YUM!
I was thinking the same thing. Do you think you can just add the PB or do we need to substitute it?
From other various recipes I’ve seen that add PB, it’s usually substituted for half of the butter or something along those lines. I’d think you’d have to do something pretty strange to mess up a simple recipe like this one. :)
Hi Sandy, I would sub out half of the butter for peanut butter, and you could add some peanut butter chips.
From someone slaving away at a desk right now – thank you for sharing this recipe! These are so easy and would definitely cheer me up on a dull afternoon.
I don’t have any quick cooking oats in the house. Do you think regular old fashioned oatmeal will do? If not do you think toasting it in the oven would help?
Hi Lori, Unfortunately regular old-fashioned rolled oats won’t work – they are a bit too large/thick/chewy in texture.
Just pop them in a food processor for a few seconds…perfect!
I use organic rolled oats and they are still very yummy and chewy. Kids love them and so do I
Love how easy these are! Chocolate chio granola bars will always be my fav.
These look perfect! :) I really should try making granola bars myself, I am sure it’s so much healthier without preservatives. Great recipe!
These look exactly like the type of granola bar that I adore, too! YUM!
How do you store these and how long do they last you? I’d to love to make these to ship off to my hubs who’s deployed.
Hi E, I have storage tips listed in the recipe above. Room temperature for about 5 to 7 days. I think you would be fine shipping them overseas.
Thank you kindly!
PERFECT! I just made a batch for my kids to try out tomorrow morning. I can’t believe I had all the ingredients on hand! Looks delicious.
OMG i love these and I must try soon!
i eat a quaker oat bar every morning so these are right up my alley!! on my to-make list :)
These look just delightful! I’ve never made granola bars before, but these make me want to change that!
They look great here, Lauren’s looked great, and I’ve been making homemade granola bars for years…the ingredients are better at home and the price is better, too, than buying them. Not to mention…they taste better!