Sweet And Salty Granola Bar Recipe – Easy & Homemade

Let’s be honest—being a mum is a full-time gig. Between school drop-offs, after-school activities, and trying to get five minutes of peace (maybe while hiding in the car?), it’s a challenge to find snacks that are both delicious and nourishing. I know the struggle, which is why I’m all about homemade treats that are quick, easy, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Let me introduce you to my sweet and salty granola bar recipe! These little beauties are the perfect blend of crunchy, chewy, sweet, and salty—a snack that ticks all the boxes for both kids and mums alike.

I started making these granola bars when my two girls hit that phase where they were constantly asking for snacks. Store-bought options were either loaded with sugar, filled with unpronounceable ingredients, or tasted like cardboard. Surely I could make something better than that. So, in true “make-it-from-scratch” spirit, I decided to create my own version. The result? A granola bar that satisfies those pesky afternoon cravings while keeping things wholesome and simple. We usually have a whole tray of them in the fridge, and snack on them throughout the day. Trust me, once you’ve tasted them, you’ll never go back to store-bought.

If you know me you know I love to re-purpose foods. Ant this recipe is no exception. My delicious granola and oh-so-yummy caramel sauce come in super handy here. Add a simple base and viola, you have yourself a delicious, nutritious treat. And because we won’t be using peanut butter, these little sweet and salty bars can even make their way into your child’s lunchbox. 

Whether you use my granola recipe or prefer your own, these homemade granola bars are completely versatile. You can mix and match your favourite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, making them a great way to use up those odds and ends lurking in your pantry. Whether you’re packing them in your lunch box, taking them on a weekend hike, or just need a quick snack between Zoom calls, these chewy granola bars are here to save the day. So, let’s dive into this sweet and salty granola bar recipe that’s sure to become a family favourite!

Ingredients

Butter. What better ingredient to add to a baked snack? Make sure your butter is soft, we need it to form a creamy base. 

Sugar. I’m using raw sugar in this recipe, but you can use brown sugar for a little extra caramel flavour. 

Eggs, to keep the mixture together.

Flour, for a delicious base. I usually use a mix of spelt and all purpose flour.

Granola. I’m using my nut free granola recipe and keep mixing up the ingredients, based on what’s left in my pantry. Feel free to use your own favourite granola, or give mine a try. 

Sweet and Salty Caramel Sauce. This sauce is the key ingredient in for this sweet and salty granola bar recipe. Make sure you’ve got plenty of it. The delicious sticky, salty flavours are the perfect addition to any granola bar recipe.

How to Make My Sweet & Salty Granola Bar Recipe

This recipe requires you to make my granola recipe and salted caramel sauce first. Both are super quick to make and can be stored for weeks to enjoy. 

Preheat your oven to 160°C (315°F). While the oven is heating up, line a 20 x 30cm (8 x 12 inch) baking tin with parchment paper. Set it aside for later.

In the large mixing bowl of your stand mixer, beat the softened butter, sugar and egg until a creamy mixture forms. Add the flour and mix until the dough is smooth and free of clumps. 

Spread the dough into the prepared baking tin. This doesn’t need to be perfectly even, but make sure the entire base is covered and reached into all four corners. 

Layer the caramel sauce over it. This also doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as it covers the base. 

In a separate large bowl, lightly whisk the remaining egg and combine it with your granola. Aim to have the granola coated evenly, to ensure your bars don’t hold pockets of egg, while others crumble apart. 

Spread the entire mixture of sweet granola over the caramel layer and place the baking tin into the oven. 

Bake your bars for 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the mixture comes back clean. 

​Allow your bars to cool in the tin before cutting them into squares or rectangles. 

Enjoy these easy bars straight away or store them in an airtight container in a cool place or under plastic wrap in the fridge. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All natural: Forget about trans fat, canola oil and high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and hefty price tags. My sweet and salty granola bar recipe beats store-bought granola bars any day of the week. 
• Sweet & Salty Combo: The combination of rich caramel and crunchy granola with a sprinkle of sea salt is a match made in heaven.
• Family-Approved: We can’t get enough of these! Whether you enjoy yours for breakfast or at snack time, the natural flavours and whole foods ingredients leave you both satisfied and energised. 
• Customizable: Allergic to nuts? No problem! This sweet and salty granola bar recipe doesn’t rely on savoury peanuts to carry the flavour. For those still craving some added ingredients, top the bars with some melted chocolate, or mix dried fruit through the granola. The possibilities are endless!

Other recipes to try

Tips and Tricks for the Best Granola Bars

• Press Down Firmly: Make sure to really press the mixture into the pan. This helps the bars hold together better when you cut them. Because who needs a granola bar mold when you have your hands?
• Let It Chill: The bars need time to firm up in the fridge, so don’t rush this step. While you can store them at room temperature for a more chewy texture, I prefer to store mine in the fridge to keep the bars from softening. 
• Cut Cleanly: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars. For extra clean cuts, wipe the knife with a damp cloth between slices.
• Add a Boost of Protein: For a protein-packed version, add a scoop of your favourite protein powder or a few nuts to the mix. My granola usually has lots of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and unsweetened coconut, which is plenty of protein for me. 

Easy Substitutes

• Seed-Free: If seeds aren’t your tummy’s best friend, swap them for more puffed grains or dried fruit. 
•  Vegan Option: Use jam instead of caramel sauce, or create a date based caramel using maple syrup. 
• Gluten-Free: Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for gluten sensitivities. Also make sure to use a gluten free flour like rice flour or peanut flour in your dry ingredients. 
• Extra Flavor: If you’re after something extra special, drizzle your baked bars with a little melted white chocolate, or add some chocolate chips into the granola mixture before baking.