Granola bars are such easy, tasty snacks and lunch box staples, but they often have a long list of ingredients including a lot of sugar. I’m thrilled to share these chewy, delicious bars that are a huge hit with my boys and have only seven ingredients! We usually make a double batch, baking in a 9 x 13-inch pan for 45 minutes.

Makes 12 bars

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the oil, honey, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes, until combined and heated through. Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla and oats. Stir until combined. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes while you prepare the pan. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Stir the crispy rice into the oat mixture. Sprinkle half of the chocolate chips over the parchment paper in the bottom of the pan. Spread the oat mixture over the top and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate chips. Top with a piece of parchment paper and press down, pressing the chocolate chips into the bars as well as evening them.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, until the bars are light brown around the edges. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before portioning them. Store in the pantry in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Notes: Make sure you use quick-cooking oats for these, not old-fashioned. Can’t find mini chocolate chips? You can use regular chocolate chips chopped into fine pieces by hand or in a food processor. You can use pure maple syrup instead of honey, but since it is thinner, it will sink to the bottom of the granola bars a bit.