Chewy Homemade Muesli Bars with Nut Butter and Honey Recipe
Deliciously chewy muesli bars made with natural peanut butter, honey, and a mix of oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. These homemade granola bars are perfect for a nutritious breakfast on the go or a healthy snack, featuring a sticky, caramel-like binder that creates the perfect chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 bars
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Australian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Glue
- 1/2 cup (120g) pure natural peanut butter, smooth, or other nut butter (blend oil well)
- 1/2 cup (175g) honey
Add-ins (3 1/2 cups total, your choice)
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened
- 1/2 cup almonds, very roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix Add-ins: In a large microwaveable bowl, combine the rolled oats, sultanas, desiccated coconut, roughly chopped almonds, pepitas, white sesame seeds, salt, and cinnamon using a wooden spoon until evenly mixed.
- Prepare Glue: In a saucepan over medium heat, stir the peanut butter and honey together with a rubber spatula until smooth. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, scrambling the base of the pan, for about 5 minutes or until the mixture turns into a very thick caramel-like consistency that can hold shape when drawn through the bottom of the pan. Be vigilant to prevent burning.
- Combine: Immediately pour the hot sticky mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Thoroughly mix using a wooden spoon. If the mixture becomes too stiff, microwave for 20 seconds to loosen, then continue mixing until well combined and sticky.
- Press Into Tin: Line a 20cm/8″ square baking tin with parchment paper. Transfer the mixture into the tin and press it firmly into all corners using your hands and wooden spoon. The firmer you press, the chewier the bars will be.
- Set: Chill the pressed mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.
- Cut: Remove from fridge, lift out using the parchment paper, and cut into 10 bars by cutting the slab in half and then each half into 5 equal bars.
Notes
- Use natural peanut butter containing only peanuts without added salt, sugar or stabilizers for the best flavor and texture.
- If the peanut butter oil separates, warm slightly and mix well before measuring.
- Almond butter is a good alternative nut butter substitute for flavor and texture.
- Maple syrup can replace honey if desired, but ensure it cooks to the same thick consistency.
- Use a microwave-safe bowl for mixing as the sticky binder can harden; microwaving briefly helps loosen it.
- The longer the peanut butter and honey glue is cooked, the stronger the bind and the chewier the bars.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks; bars are very chewy when cold and soften at room temperature.
- One bar is a substantial, nutritious breakfast or snack.
