Homemade granola bars are much easier to make than you might think. These bars, with sultanas and dried cherries, are fruity and delicious and perfect for snacking on the go.
I like to make these granola bars for popping in lunch boxes, breakfast and snacking – I keep them in the fridge for when hunger hits.
These don’t need any cooking, just chilling time in the fridge, which makes them incredibly easy and great for children to help making too!
These are super versatile so get creative with the fillings when you’ve made them a couple of times.
Why You’ll Love These Granola Bars
These granola bars are everything I want in a homemade snack – easy to make, full of flavour and great for busy days. They’re naturally sweetened with honey, full of chewy oats and fruit, and there’s no oven involved. Perfect for kids, lunchboxes or a quick energy boost.
The Ingredients
- Smooth peanut butter – you’ll want a peanut butter that’s very smooth and not too thick. If it is very thick, you’ll need to add a little water as per the recipe to make sure all of the ingredients come together.
- Runny honey – this brings all of the sweetness to your granola bars.
- Porridge oats – any bog standard porridge oats are fine. I buy the basics porridge oats from my local supermarket and use those – it makes this recipe really economical.
- Sultanas and dried cherries – these fruits add some lovely flavour to these bars. Feel free to mix it up though – raisins, nuts and chocolate chips would all work.
Top Tips for Perfect No Bake Bars
- Mix thoroughly: It might seem like it won’t come together at first — just keep stirring until everything is evenly coated.
- Press firmly: Use the back of a spoon or extra parchment paper to really compress the mix in the tin. This helps the bars set properly.
- Chill completely: Give them at least an hour to firm up in the fridge before slicing.
- Cut cold: They slice much more cleanly when chilled.
FAQs
Yes – just swap honey for maple syrup and check your chocolate chips (if using) are dairy-free.
Yes, keeping them cold helps them hold their shape and stay chewy.
You can – it adds texture, though smooth peanut butter binds more easily.
Sultana and Cherry Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 200 grams peanut butter smooth
- 150 grams honey runny
- 200 grams porridge oats
- 50 grams sultanas
- 75 grams dried cherries
Instructions
- Put the peanut butter and honey into a large bowl. Stir until combined. If the mixture is very stiff, add 2 tablespoons of water and stir again.
- Add the oats, sultanas and cherries. Mix until combined.
- Line a 24cm/9in square cake tin with baking parchment. Tip your mixture into the tin. Use another sheet of baking parchment to press the mixture down into the tin, making sure it reaches all of the edges and is even on top.
- Put in the fridge and leave for an hour to chill.
- Remove from the fridge and cut into slices to serve. Keep any leftover granola bars in the fridge.
Notes
Variations & Add-Ins
Once you’ve made these a few times, try changing them up:- Add chocolate chips for a sweet treat version.
- Add chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts) for crunch.
- Make them tropical with dried mango and coconut.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan-friendly option.
- Turn them into breakfast bars by adding a spoonful of chia seeds or flaxseed for extra fibre.
Storage & Freezing
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container, layered with parchment, for up to 7 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before eating.
- Tip: Wrap bars individually before freezing so you can grab just one when needed.
So easy, so simple and so tasty!