Cherry Almond Granola Bars Healthy Snack Recipe

May 12, 2025 by Nora

Looking for a tasty yet healthy snack? Try my Cherry Almond Granola Bars! These easy-to-make bars are perfect for a quick bite or afternoon energy boost. With oats, nuts, and dried cherries, they pack a delicious punch of flavor. Best of all, you control the ingredients! Follow along as I share my simple recipe and tips for making these crunchy yet chewy snacks. You’ll love them!

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Ingredients

For my Cherry Almond Granola Bars, I use simple and healthy ingredients. They come together quickly and taste amazing. Here’s what you need:

– 2 cups rolled oats

– 1 cup almonds, chopped

– ½ cup dried cherries

– ½ cup honey or maple syrup

– 1/2 cup almond butter

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– ½ teaspoon cinnamon

– ¼ teaspoon salt

– ¼ cup sunflower seeds (optional)

Each ingredient plays a role in making these bars delicious and nutritious. The rolled oats give a hearty base. Chopped almonds add crunch, while dried cherries bring sweetness. Honey or maple syrup serves as a natural sweetener. Almond butter adds creaminess and healthy fats. Vanilla extract gives a warm flavor. Cinnamon and salt enhance the taste. If you want more crunch, add sunflower seeds.

These ingredients create a perfect blend for a healthy snack. You can find the full recipe in the section above.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking. Next, take an 8×8 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the bars later.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, mix the rolled oats, chopped almonds, and dried cherries. If you want, add sunflower seeds for extra crunch. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and salt. Stir it all together until well mixed.

Melt Almond Butter Mixture

In a small saucepan, add almond butter and honey (or maple syrup). Heat it on low. Stir it often until it melts and becomes smooth. After that, remove it from the heat. Then, add the vanilla extract and give it a good stir.

Mix and Press into the Pan

Pour the almond butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix it well until everything is coated. Then, transfer this mixture into your prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly. Use a spatula or your hands to make it compact.

Bake and Cool

Place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for about 20-25 minutes. Look for golden brown edges to know it’s ready. Once done, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. After that, lift the bars out using the parchment paper. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, cut them into bars or squares. For the full recipe, check out the earlier section.

Tips & Tricks

How to Make Perfectly Chewy Bars

To make chewy granola bars, you need the right balance of wet and dry ingredients. The almond butter and honey blend helps hold everything together. If you want them chewier, add a bit more almond butter. You can also reduce the oats slightly to keep the bars moist.

Substitutions for Ingredients

You can swap ingredients based on what you have. Instead of almonds, use walnuts or pecans. If you don’t have dried cherries, try cranberries or raisins. For honey, maple syrup works great, too. Almond butter can be replaced with peanut butter for a different taste. These changes keep your bars fun and interesting.

Best Practices for Pressing Mixture

When you press the mixture into the pan, use a spatula or your hands. It’s important to press firmly and evenly. This helps the bars stay together. Wetting your hands with a little water can help prevent sticking. Make sure to pack the mixture tightly, or they may crumble later.

For more detailed steps, check the Full Recipe. Enjoy making your delicious Cherry Almond Granola Bars!

Variations

Adding Other Nuts and Seeds

You can change the nuts and seeds in this recipe for Cherry Almond Granola Bars. Use walnuts, pecans, or cashews for different flavors. Add pumpkin seeds or flax seeds for extra crunch and nutrition. Just remember to keep the total amount of nuts and seeds the same. This will keep the bars balanced and tasty.

Sweeteners Alternatives

If you want to change the sweetness, you have options. You can use agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or even coconut sugar. Each sweetener adds its own flavor. Just make sure to use the same amount as honey or maple syrup. Experiment to find what you like best in your granola bars.

Flavor Enhancements with Spices

Spices can bring your Cherry Almond Granola Bars to life. Try adding nutmeg or ginger for a warm flavor. You can also mix in a bit of cocoa powder for a chocolate twist. Adding a pinch of sea salt can enhance the sweetness, too. These small changes can make each batch unique and exciting to eat.

For the full recipe, visit the Cherry Almond Granola Bars section.

Storage Info

Best Way to Store the Bars

To keep your Cherry Almond Granola Bars fresh, use an airtight container. Line the container with parchment paper for easy removal. This method helps maintain their chewy texture and rich flavor. You can also wrap each bar in plastic wrap. This keeps them protected and ready to grab.

How Long Do They Last?

When stored properly, these bars last up to one week at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge. They can stay fresh for about two weeks in the fridge. Just remember, the cooler the place, the better they stay.

Freezing Instructions

Freezing is a great option for long-term storage. Cut the bars into squares, then wrap each one in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Enjoy a quick, healthy snack anytime! For the full recipe, check the details above.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?

You can use fresh cherries, but they change the texture. Fresh cherries add more moisture, so your bars may not hold together as well. If you choose fresh cherries, chop them small and reduce other liquid ingredients.

What is the nutritional information for Cherry Almond Granola Bars?

Each bar has about 150 calories. It includes 6 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat, and 20 grams of carbs. They also provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This snack gives you energy without added junk.

How do I make these granola bars vegan?

To make these bars vegan, replace honey with maple syrup. Use almond butter that is 100% plant-based. Check your vanilla extract for any additives. Follow the Full Recipe for the best results.

What are the health benefits of almonds and cherries?

Almonds are rich in healthy fats and protein. They help keep your heart healthy and support brain function. Cherries provide antioxidants and vitamins. They help reduce inflammation and improve sleep. Together, they make a great snack!

These cherry almond granola bars are easy to make and healthy. We covered the key ingredients, simple steps, and creative variations. You learned how to mix flavors and store your bars well. These tips will help you make them chewy and tasty. Enjoy customizing your recipe! Now, you can make delicious, healthy snacks at home. Your kitchen is ready for fun and flavor!

$For my Cherry Almond Granola Bars, I use simple and healthy ingredients. They come together quickly and taste amazing. Here’s what you need: - 2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup almonds, chopped - ½ cup dried cherries - ½ cup honey or maple syrup - 1/2 cup almond butter - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon cinnamon - ¼ teaspoon salt - ¼ cup sunflower seeds (optional) Each ingredient plays a role in making these bars delicious and nutritious. The rolled oats give a hearty base. Chopped almonds add crunch, while dried cherries bring sweetness. Honey or maple syrup serves as a natural sweetener. Almond butter adds creaminess and healthy fats. Vanilla extract gives a warm flavor. Cinnamon and salt enhance the taste. If you want more crunch, add sunflower seeds. These ingredients create a perfect blend for a healthy snack. You can find the full recipe in the section above. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking. Next, take an 8x8 inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the bars later. In a large mixing bowl, mix the rolled oats, chopped almonds, and dried cherries. If you want, add sunflower seeds for extra crunch. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and salt. Stir it all together until well mixed. In a small saucepan, add almond butter and honey (or maple syrup). Heat it on low. Stir it often until it melts and becomes smooth. After that, remove it from the heat. Then, add the vanilla extract and give it a good stir. Pour the almond butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix it well until everything is coated. Then, transfer this mixture into your prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly. Use a spatula or your hands to make it compact. Place the baking dish in your preheated oven. Bake for about 20-25 minutes. Look for golden brown edges to know it’s ready. Once done, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. After that, lift the bars out using the parchment paper. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, cut them into bars or squares. For the full recipe, check out the earlier section. To make chewy granola bars, you need the right balance of wet and dry ingredients. The almond butter and honey blend helps hold everything together. If you want them chewier, add a bit more almond butter. You can also reduce the oats slightly to keep the bars moist. You can swap ingredients based on what you have. Instead of almonds, use walnuts or pecans. If you don’t have dried cherries, try cranberries or raisins. For honey, maple syrup works great, too. Almond butter can be replaced with peanut butter for a different taste. These changes keep your bars fun and interesting. When you press the mixture into the pan, use a spatula or your hands. It’s important to press firmly and evenly. This helps the bars stay together. Wetting your hands with a little water can help prevent sticking. Make sure to pack the mixture tightly, or they may crumble later. For more detailed steps, check the Full Recipe. Enjoy making your delicious Cherry Almond Granola Bars! {{image_2}} You can change the nuts and seeds in this recipe for Cherry Almond Granola Bars. Use walnuts, pecans, or cashews for different flavors. Add pumpkin seeds or flax seeds for extra crunch and nutrition. Just remember to keep the total amount of nuts and seeds the same. This will keep the bars balanced and tasty. If you want to change the sweetness, you have options. You can use agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or even coconut sugar. Each sweetener adds its own flavor. Just make sure to use the same amount as honey or maple syrup. Experiment to find what you like best in your granola bars. Spices can bring your Cherry Almond Granola Bars to life. Try adding nutmeg or ginger for a warm flavor. You can also mix in a bit of cocoa powder for a chocolate twist. Adding a pinch of sea salt can enhance the sweetness, too. These small changes can make each batch unique and exciting to eat. For the full recipe, visit the Cherry Almond Granola Bars section. To keep your Cherry Almond Granola Bars fresh, use an airtight container. Line the container with parchment paper for easy removal. This method helps maintain their chewy texture and rich flavor. You can also wrap each bar in plastic wrap. This keeps them protected and ready to grab. When stored properly, these bars last up to one week at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge. They can stay fresh for about two weeks in the fridge. Just remember, the cooler the place, the better they stay. Freezing is a great option for long-term storage. Cut the bars into squares, then wrap each one in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Enjoy a quick, healthy snack anytime! For the full recipe, check the details above. You can use fresh cherries, but they change the texture. Fresh cherries add more moisture, so your bars may not hold together as well. If you choose fresh cherries, chop them small and reduce other liquid ingredients. Each bar has about 150 calories. It includes 6 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat, and 20 grams of carbs. They also provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This snack gives you energy without added junk. To make these bars vegan, replace honey with maple syrup. Use almond butter that is 100% plant-based. Check your vanilla extract for any additives. Follow the Full Recipe for the best results. Almonds are rich in healthy fats and protein. They help keep your heart healthy and support brain function. Cherries provide antioxidants and vitamins. They help reduce inflammation and improve sleep. Together, they make a great snack! These cherry almond granola bars are easy to make and healthy. We covered the key ingredients, simple steps, and creative variations. You learned how to mix flavors and store your bars well. These tips will help you make them chewy and tasty. Enjoy customizing your recipe! Now, you can make delicious, healthy snacks at home. Your kitchen is ready for fun and flavor!$