Trail Mix Bars Oats Honey (Print View)

Chewy bars rich in oats, honey, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for a wholesome snack anytime.

# Components:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1/2 cup chopped mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
03 - 1/3 cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
04 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
05 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 1/3 cup honey
07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter
08 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped mixed nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate chips if using.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with honey and brown sugar, stirring continuously until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
04 - Pour the warm wet mixture over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until all components are evenly coated.
05 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan and press firmly and evenly with a spatula or hands to create uniform compaction.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
07 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment overhang and cut into 12 equal bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent but require no mixing bowl gymnastics or fancy baking skills.
  • One batch lasts almost a week, making mornings infinitely less chaotic.
  • You control exactly what goes in, so no surprises or ingredients you can't pronounce.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step—cutting warm bars leads to crumbles and frustration, and nobody wants that.
  • The honey-butter mixture needs to cool just slightly before mixing with dry ingredients, or it'll toast the oats prematurely and change the texture entirely.
03 -
  • Press the mixture firmly into the pan but not aggressively—you want cohesion, not density.
  • If you're making these for someone with allergies, double-check that your oats are certified gluten-free and that your chocolate chips come from a facility that doesn't process tree nuts.
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