Vegan Chewy and Soft Granola Bars

If you’re looking for an alternative to expensive, dry-tasting packaged granola bars, these homemade vegan granola bars that are both chewy and soft will make you happy.

When I first attempted to make crisp, chewy homemade granola bars, my efforts were only marginally successful. They tasted good, but getting them out of the baking pan required a sledgehammer, even when using baking parchment.

Here, the best of both worlds are combined, with crunchy granola enveloped in a soft dough. These bars make a fantastic pick-me up snack, a nice lunchbox treat, and are even yummy enough to have as dessert.

For extra neatness, I like to use currants and mini chocolate chips, but raisins and regular-size chocolate chips work as well.

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Yield: 8

Vegan Chewy and Soft Granola Bars

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As an alternative to expensive, dry-tasting packaged granola bars, these homemade vegan granola bars that are both chewy and soft will make you happy.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour or light spelt flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons natural granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup applesauce, or as needed
• 1 tablespoon safflower or other neutral oil
• 1 cup granola of your choice (homemade — see link to recipe in Notes — or store-bought)
• 1/2 cup raisins or currants
• 1/2 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips or mini-chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
2. Combine the first 4 (dry) ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir together. 
3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the applesauce and oil. Stir together until the wet and dry ingredients are completely mixed (use a little more applesauce if need be to moisten the dry ingredients), then stir in the raisins and optional chips.    
4. Pour the batter into a lightly oiled 8- by 8 or 9- by 9-inch square pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center tests clean (other than the melted chocolate). 
5. Let cool until at room temperature, then cut in half across, then into 4 sections in the opposite direction to make 8 bars.

Notes

Here's a recipe for Homemade Crunchy Granola.

Here are lots more easy vegan desserts & sweets.