Ultra chewy, homemade muesli bars that are cheaper, tastier and much healthier than store-bought. Tastes like a chewy caramel studded with nuts and fruit! Excellent way to clear out random leftover nuts and dried fruit. Want crunchy muesli bars? Head here!
The case for homemade muesli bars
There’s some things that I’ll always (probably) buy from the shops. Like – potato crisps. And cheezels (I love ’em! Don’t judge me.😭)
But there’s some things that I’ll never buy, after discovering how good and easy homemade is. Muesli bars currently tops that list. (That’s granola bars, to those of you in the States!).
I actually bought a box of a popular brand here in Australia called Carmen’s so I could do a side-by-side taste test, homemade vs store bought. The texture is almost exactly the same. But the flavour of homemade is far superior. Put simply, you can taste all the ingredients better. Also, everything in homemade muesli bars is all-natural. No mysterious food additives or preservatives to survive on supermarket shelves!
We’re making chewy ones today
There’s an endless variety of muesli bar flavours available these days. Nut free, fruit free, chocolate chips, chocolate drizzle! With today’s recipe you can customise the flavour to your hearts’ content.
As for texture – broadly speaking, there’s two types: chewy and crunchy. We’re making chewy ones. And when I say chewy, I do not exaggerate. It’s like eating a chewy caramel – except you get to feel smug cause these muesli bars are good for you.
Doubt me? Here’s proof of chew:
What goes in muesli bars
The combination of fruit and nuts I’ve used is a copy-cat of Carmen’s classic fruit & nut muesli bars, a very popular brand here in Australia. You can really use any add-ins you want, as long as you stick to 3 1/2 cups in total as that’s how much the peanut butter-honey “glue” will hold together.
The glue
Natural peanut butter (or almond butter) – Different to commercial peanut butter spread because it’s got no sugar, salt, preservatives etc added. It’s 100% peanuts which means better peanut flavour and it’s runnier (hence why it works better for things like satay sauce).
Mix well if separated – The absence of stabilisers also means that the oil and peanuts will separate if left in the pantry for ages. Be sure to mix well to combine before using. If your peanut butter has solidified into cement, try microwaving briefly to warm (remove the metal lid!) then mix with a butter knife or chopstick. If that still does not work, scrape the oil & peanut cement into a jug and blitz with a stick blender (done that plenty of times!).
Non-peanut substitute: I think almond butter is best, for flavour and texture. I’ve read in other granola bar recipes that other nut butters work too.
Honey – For natural sweetness. Maple syrup should also work.
Add-ins
Rolled oats – not quick oats, just plain traditional oats.
Almonds – whole, roasted, unsalted. I like to give them a very rough chop so it disperses better.
Sultanas – or raisins, cranberries or any other dried fruit of choice (if using big pieces like apricots, suggest chopping).
Pepitas – because it’s in Carmen’s. Like that it adds some colour to all the brown-ness!
Sesame seeds – because it’s in Carmen’s.
Coconut – because it’s in Carmen’s. Use desiccated coconut (ie finely shredded) that is not sweetened. Flakes will also work but because they are larger they won’t disperse as well throughout (maybe chop or crush in hands?).
Cinnamon – a little touch of cinnamon really works in this!
Salt – Just a touch brings out the flavours in this.
How to make ultra-chewy muesli bars
I love that this is a no-bake recipe!
Mix the add-ins in a microwavable bowl using a wooden spoon.
Why microwavable? Because the peanut butter glue is quite thick and if the air is cool or if you take your time with the mixing or if you take a call from your friend mid-mix, the glue may get so thick it’s too hard to mix. If this happens, a 20 second microwave will do the trick!
Mix glue – Put the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over low heat and mix to combine. Use a rubber spatula and cook, stirring almost constantly, for 5 minutes to thicken. Scrape the base of the saucepan, getting in around the edges. DO NOT WALK AWAY during this step as it can catch easily on the base.
Goal – Thick caramel-like mixture. It should mound like ribbons, as pictured above. Basically, the thicker the mixture, the chewier your muesli bars!
Immediately pour the mixture all across the surface of the oats. Use the wooden spoon to mix to combine until you can no longer see dry oats. At first this will seem impossible, but persevere as it will happen! Using stabbing motions and smearing against the side of the bowl helps.
If it gets too hard to stir, microwave for 20 seconds then it will be a breeze.
Press – Place a sheet of paper over a 20cm/8″ square pan (no need to grease, why create unnecessary washing up??). Scrape the mixture in then press it into the pan using a combination of the wooden spatula to spread it out, then hands to press it in.
Press firmly but keep some of the surface bumpy rather than aiming for completely flat. If you press really, really firmly ie make the surface almost completely smooth and flat, the bars will be very, very chewy. I personally found it a little too chewy, but maybe that’s what you want!
Refrigerate for 2 hours to set then cut into 10 bars. Or 8, if you want bars a little larger than store-bought. Then eat! Well, chew. 😂
Matters of muesli bars
Never thought I’d be writing a section titled as above, but I do have some a few practical matters to share with you on the matter of homemade muesli bars!
Are muesli bars healthy? This homemade one is, being made with all-natural ingredients with no fat or sugar added. However, most store-bought ones are not. Look closely at the ingredients list and you’ll see sugar and unfamiliar food additives listed.
Storage – Airtight container in the fridge keeps them fresh and perky for 2 weeks. Out of the fridge, the oats soften faster over time which alters the texture of the muesli bars. But they don’t go off.
Cold vs room temp – The muesli bars are firmer / chewier when fridge cold then soften to store-bought muesli bar level chewiness at room temperature. I actually really like them cold, for extra chew. As I mentioned earlier, it’s like a guilt-free chewy caramel!
When to eat it – Breakfast on the run or snack! Honestly, you’d never even think of these as “healthy” because they’re sweet and tasty. I cut them into squares, drizzle with chocolate (see last point) and serve as an afternoon tea sweet treat.
Lunchbox shelf life – Easily all day, out of fridge is fine. Fridge storage isn’t about keeping them food-safe, it’s about keeping them fresher for longer.
Mini choc chips – The choc chips on store bought muesli bars are smaller than the ones used in chocolate chip cookies, they are mini ones. I found them at my local Scoop Wholefoods (Mona Vale, Sydney). You know those stores where you help yourself to fruit, nuts, chocolates etc out of tubs?
To add them to your muesli bars, press the mixture into the pan then let it cool slightly else the choc chips will melt. Then scatter the mini choc-chips across the surface and use your hands to press them in. Then refrigerate.
Chocolate drizzle – You will only need a small quantity of chocolate drizzle. I find it hard to melt small quantities of chocolate in a bowl in the microwave (always seizes). I find the easiest way is to pop about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (normal ones, this time!) in a small ziplock bag. Seal, microwave for 10 seconds at a time (massage to “mix) until melted. Snip corner, drizzle across muesli bars.
So, what do you think? Is this a good weekend to rummage through your pantry to round up all those leftovers nuts and dried fruit from other recipes to make homemade muesli bars?? – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Chewy muesli bars (granola bars)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120g) pure natural peanut butter, smooth, or other nut butter (mix oil in well, Note 1)
- 1/2 cup (175 g) honey (Note 2)
Add ins (3 1/2 cups your choice, Note 3):
- 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 – Using a wooden spoon, mix the add-ins in a large microwaveable bowl (just in case, Note 4).
- Glue – Using a rubber spatula, mix the peanut butter and honey in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth. Once combined, turn the stove down to low. As soon as you start seeing little bubbles around the edges, cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly scraping the base, until it is like a very thick caramel (see photos and video in post). You should be able to draw a path across the base and it holds before closing in on itself. DO NOT WALK AWAY, it will catch easily. (Note 5)
- Mix – Immediately pour it all over surface of the oats etc then mix with the wooden spoon. It takes a bit of effort but it does come together eventually. Stabbing and smearing against the wall of the bowl helps. If it gets too thick, microwave for 20 seconds on high to loosen the glue then mix (then it's a breeze!).
- Press – Put a square piece of paper over a 20cm/8" square tin (no need to grease). Drop muesli mix in then spread right into the corners, using a combination of your hands and the wooden spoon. Firmer press = chewier muesli bars.
- Set – Refrigerate 2 hours until firm then cut into 10 bars (cut in half, then each half into 5).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
You knew I’d do this with the flowers as soon as I was done with the food photos, right??!
Deb Livingstone says
I have made 2 batches, the second one far more successful, but they are not holding together as per photos. Can anyone offer any suggestions to what I am doing wrong please .
Sue says
My first batch was a bit dry too so the second time I did what Nagi said in the first place and weighed the peanut butter and honey into the saucepan. The measuring in cups leaves too much in the cup
Deb Livingstone says
Thanks Sue
Jackie says
My first batch had bits that came away too. Next batch I reduced the add-ins by a quarter cup and when the glue was ready I added those ingredients to the saucepan. Tweaking the glue to dry ratio, and adding dry to glue rather than the other way around did the trick for me.
Deb Livingstone says
Thanks Jackie, I will try that
Helene Finch says
Made the Muesli bars for the first time. Definitely won’t be the last! Found the instructions easy to follow. Great recipe. Thank you.
Ella Israel says
I was wondering how to make this muesli bar as nut free – so that my kids can take them to school
A Finch says
Switch the peanut butter to tahini and use extra fruit or seeds
Janine says
I made these yesterday, the peanut butter taste is very overpowering, where did I go wrong? What brand of peanut butter do you recommend? I used Bega Simply Nuts
Liz says
I’m obsessed with these. I’ve made half a dozen batches since I discovered this recipe a few days ago. The formula (dry ingredients to ‘glue’ ratio) has made it so easy and fun for me to experiment with different combos to accommodate all the preferences and requirements of those I’ve been gifting with these. Nagi, you’ve done it again.
jamie says
We loved the idea of this, and it came together very nicely, but the kids thought it too sweet. Any suggestion as to how to tweak to make it less so?
thanks so much!
Lesley Wee says
To add to what i just wrote…I used a combination of maple syrup and honey.👍
Lesley Wee says
Made the muesli bars🤓 today.
Nice n chewy
Thanks yet again Nagi
Luv that photograph of Dozer with my favourite flower on his head. They cannot grow here😞
Anyway, thanks again for recipe. I’ll be able to look for it once my new cookbook arrives here 🇨🇦 in the next few weeks.
Hugs to Dozer
Remember to have a swim in ocean for me 🐾💙
shona says
Used maple syrup instead of honey as we are not big honey fans, mixture took alot longer to thicken up than what it might have with honey and still didn’t quite get as thick as pictured even after 15 minutes on the stove, so muesli bars are still a bit crumbly, however taste absolutely delicious. I might have to try a bit of half honey, half maple next time.
J B says
Soooo good!! Used a mayvers choc- hazelnut butter in one batch and did the peanut version with Rice Bubbles and cornflakes for my fussy kids, and turns out hubby loves them more than the kids. I loved the choc hazelnut one, I just didn’t read the part about chocolate chips melting 🤣 Will be making many variations of these, stocked up on all the nut butters! Thank you Nagi!
Sandy says
Just made these Nagi, and they are amazingly yum and definitely chewy, the only hard thing about the whole recipe is the mixing, but so worth the effort. Will be trying sour cherries and hazelnuts in the next batch. Love your work Nagi, you’re so reliable for producing awesome, tasty and easy to follow recipes. Love the Dozer updates 😘
Anne says
Made these – absolutely delicious 😋. Warmed the dry ingredients in microwave for about 20 seconds so the mixture is much easier to mix. Thank you Nagi. Hoping your book arrives tomorrow.
brenda says
Really good and easy! Just had one after my workout. What a tasty way to replace the calories I worked off! I love your recipes, Nagi. I bet this is one of Dozer’s favs. UMMM….peanut butter!! Ruff! Ruff!
Emma says
These museli nut bars are fabulous!
It was great to use up all leftover dribs and drabs of older ingredients and bring them to life.
My family has loved these so much and I’m sure these will become a weekly occurrence.
Thanks for sharing the recipe. Wonderful as always. 🙂
Tana C Dickson says
I am so happy I found this recipe! So delicious and versatile. I have made thus twice in the past week!
Lexi says
Unfortunately my batch ended up one big crumbly mess🤔 Followed the instructions but didn’t quite work out. Tastes good though, shame as wanted them as post-run treat.
Marie Overgaauw says
I couldn’t resist adding sunflower seeds. Also my natural peanut butter (bottom of the jar) was a little dry so I added 2 tbls of coconut oil to the glue. As always thanks for the tips!
Dozer you’re so sweet:)
Nimrod says
You cannot believe how many museli bars we consume at our house with two very active teenage boys. The problem I had is making only one batch! Winning recipe thanks! I used a mixer (very briefly or risk burning out the motor!) and a bag of trail mix for a short cut with the ingredients 🙂
Linda says
Fantastic recipe! I subbed puffed rice ( NOT Rice Bubbles ) from the health food store as we are gluten/oat free. Did my own mix of fruits and nuts and it’s perfect!
Linda says
Also should say I used almond butter instead of peanut butter
Bronwyn says
Is it possible for you to post a crunchie muesli bar recipe? I love crunch!
Michelle says
These are so delicious. My whole family loved them. I can’t stop eating them! Looking forward to making some different variations.
Nan says
I made these today and they are truly terrific! Thank you!