Soft and chewy granola bar lovers, your search has ended for a homemade take on the store-bought snack. This quick and easy granola bar recipe yields more than a dozen bars jam-packed with toasted oats and almonds, studded with mini chocolate chips and loaded with flaxseed meal (hello, omega-3’s!).

If flaxseed meal is sounding like a foreign ingredient in your world, have no fear. It’s simply whole flaxseeds that have been ground into a fine powder, and best of all, it can be purchased at most major supermarkets. Flaxseed meal takes the place of flour in this recipe and provides the chewy texture that I crave in the softer varieties of granola bars.

There are a few key tips to whipping up the best homemade granola bars:

• DON’T underbake the granola. We’re looking for a dark golden color to guarantee the ingredients have bound together.
• DO add in any other preferred mix-ins, such as dried fruits, coconut or crystallized ginger.
• DON’T rush the cooling process. It’s important to allow the bars to cool in the pan for a full 2 hours so that they hold their shape post-slicing.
• DO tell yourself that you’re “only going to eat one granola bar” and then eat three and rationalize the added servings were providing “additional health benefits.” (Been there, done that. President of that club.)

Ready to kick those store-bought granola bars to the curb? Preheat your oven, grab the oats and get ready to snack on soft and chewy granola bars, packaging not included. [rss-cut]

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