If you’re looking for a sweet treat without any refined sugar, these homemade Chewy Granola Bars are for you! Sweetened with only honey and fruit, they make an excellent afternoon snack or grab-and-go breakfast. The use of healthier grapeseed oil and the addition of flaxseed meal increase the health benefits even more.

NOTE: These bars are deliciously chewy, similar to the pre-wrapped bars you can buy at the grocery store. However, since these bars don’t include corn syrup, they’re a little more crumbly than the pre-made ones. No worries; just make sure to let them fully cool before cutting them, and eat them with a napkin!

TIP: If you can’t find flaxseed meal, buy whole flaxseeds and grind them in a spice (or coffee) grinder.

TIP: For a deeper flavor profile, roast your nuts in the oven before adding them to the bars.

Honey and Fruit Granola Bars
(Original recipe: Giada’s Feel Good Food)

3/4 C honey
1/3 C grapeseed oil
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 C old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 C flaxseed meal
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 pinch aniseed
1 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 C almonds, chopped or sliced (roasted, if you can!)
1/2 C pecans, chopped (roasted, if you can!)
6-8 dried apricots, chopped into chunks
1/3 C dried cranberries
1/3 C dried blueberries
1/3 C dried raisins

Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13 glass or ceramic baking dish with oil.

Line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper, as well.

In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, oil, egg whites, and vanilla extract until smooth.

In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flaxseed, cinnamon, nutmeg, aniseed, and salt.

Pour the oat mixture into the honey mixture and stir until the ingredients are well coated. Stir in the nuts and fruit.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Using a spatula, press the mixture into the pan. Bake until light golden, about 35 minutes.

Cool the bars in the baking dish for 30 minutes before cutting into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.