DIY Snack Bars

August 05, 2015
Photo: Johnny Autry
Satisfy cravings with healthy treats made from wholesome grains, nuts, and fruit.
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Build A Healthier Bar

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Chewy and filling, our homemade recipes are perfectly convenient for those on-the-go. Treat yourself to a nutritional snack with less sugar and artificial sweeteners than storebought alternatives. After one bite, you'll forget your grocery's snack bar aisle even exists. 

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate Bars

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Peanut Butter-Chocolate Bars

What combination is more heavenly than chocolate and peanut butter? Absolutely nothing! These homemade bars unite the two to make a tasty after-school treat. 

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Pistachio-Apple Bars with Chia Seeds

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pistachio-Apple Bars with Chia Seeds

This flavorful snack bar is loaded with cashew butter, roasted pistachios, dried apples, and dried cranberries.

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Pumpkinseed, Date, and Tahini Bars

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pumpkinseed, Date, and Tahini Bars

When you're on the run, battle hunger pangs with an easy-to-make and satisfying snack.

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Coconut, Almond, and Goji Bars

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Coconut, Almond, and Goji Bars

With tasty tones of the tropics, this staff-favorite snack bar makes for the perfect grab-and-go snack.

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Sunflower, Strawberry, and Butterscotch Bars

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sunflower, Strawberry, and Butterscotch Bars

Quick and easy to prepare, these treats make excellent after-school snacks.

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Whole-Grain Breakfast Bars

Photo: Alison Miksch
View Recipe: Whole-Grain Breakfast Bars

This versatile recipe can be doubled for a large crowd. A large bowl can hold a double batch of the dough, and the hearty mix will perform just fine. Bake bars on the same (middle) rack in the oven. The bars can be a little crumbly, so wrap them individually and pack with plenty of padding to transport or ship overnight.

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No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

These bars are a perfectly portable snack you can prep on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week. Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. The bars will continue to firm up as they chill.

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Maple-Pecan Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Bars
Reminiscent of pecan pie, gluten-free Maple-Pecan Bars deserve a spot at your dessert buffet. Use pure maple syrup to form the gooey brown sugar and pecan mixture needed to make these heavenly bars.
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Cranberry-Pistachio Energy Bars

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Cranberry-Pistachio Energy Bars

These bars fit snugly into snack-size zip-top plastic bags but also divide easily into squares. Store in an airtight container up to three days.

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Chewy Oat and Fruit Granola Bars

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Chewy Oat and Fruit Granola Bars
Toasting the oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, and flaxseed adds a rich, nutty taste to these granola bars. A much healthier and gluten-free alternative to store-bought bars, these homemade treats are a wonderful addition to any lunch box. You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Wrap individually in parchment paper and tie with twine for a nice touch.

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Espresso Toffee

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Espresso Toffee Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir 1 tablespoon espresso powder into melted butter before adding marshmallows. Add 1 cup toffee bits and cereal; toss well to combine. Press into prepared pan.

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S'mores Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: S'mores Chewy Crispy Bars

Char marshmallows under broiler for 2 minutes before melting. Stir ½ cup graham cracker crumbs and ½ cup semisweet chocolate minichips into melted marshmallows before adding cereal; toss well to combine. Press cereal mixture into prepared pan.

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Chocolate Butterscotch Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Chocolate Butterscotch Chewy Crispy Bars

Press cereal mixture into pan. Microwave 1 cup chocolate chips for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds. Spread over cereal mixture. Microwave ½ cup butterscotch chips and 2 teaspoons fat-free milk 30 seconds; stir once. Dollop butterscotch mixture over chocolate; swirl with a knife. Chill.

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Browned Butter Pecan Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Browned Butter Pecan Chewy Crispy Bars

Before adding marshmallows, cook melted butter 3 minutes or until browned. Add ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to melted marshmallows; stir well. Add cereal; toss well to combine. Press into prepared pan; sprinkle evenly with ½ cup chopped toasted pecans.

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Candy Corn M&M's

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Candy Corn M&M's Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir 2/3 cup candy corn, ½ cup M&M's, and cereal into melted marshmallows. Press into prepared pan.

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Double Chocolate Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Double Chocolate Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa into melted marshmallows; cook 3 minutes. Add cereal; toss well to combine. Press cereal mixture into prepared pan. Heat 4 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate in microwave at HIGH 45 seconds or until melted, stirring every 15 seconds; drizzle over cereal mixture. Chill 10 minutes before slicing.

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Lemon White Chocolate Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Lemon White Chocolate Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind into melted marshmallows before adding cereal. Press cereal mixture into prepared pan. Heat 4 ounces chopped premium white chocolate in microwave at HIGH 1½ minutes or until melted, stirring every 20 seconds; drizzle over cereal mixture. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before slicing.

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Cherry Chip Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Cherry Chip Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir 1 cup finely chopped dried cherries and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract into melted marshmallow mixture. Add cereal, and toss well to combine. Press cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle mixture evenly with 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate minichips.

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Maple Bacon Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Maple Bacon Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir 3 tablespoons maple syrup and 4 cooked, drained, chopped applewood-smoked bacon slices into melted marshmallows. Add cereal, and toss well to combine. Press mixture into prepared pan.

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Peanut-Almond Snack Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Peanut-Almond Snack Bars

Featuring pretzels, marshmallows, peanut butter, almonds, and even a little hint of chocolate, is there any snack attack this bar can't beat?

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Fudgy Oatmeal Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Fudgy Oatmeal Bars

Satisfy the whole family's chocolate cravings with these delicous fudgy oatmeal bars.

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Salty-Sweet Pine Nut Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Salty-Sweet Pine Nut Bars

These bars are sweet, salty, and nutty—the perfect craving buster. Pine nuts can be expensive; pecans are a less pricey but equally delicious alternative.

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Almond-Date Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Almond-Date Bars

Marcona almonds are blanched and roasted—you won't need to toast them. You can also substitute regular whole almonds. For the best texture, use whole pitted dates, not chopped; you need the sticky texture of the whole fruit.

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Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Chewy Coconut Granola Bars

These are a go-anywhere, do-anything snack, plus they're simple to make!

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