White chocolate and cranberry granola barsare the perfect grab-and-go snack. They are simple to make at the beginning of the week and can be enjoyed all week long.

rectangles of cranberry granola bars on parchment.

I love making a big batch of granola bars at the start of the week so that my family has a healthy, homemade snack option as we run around to activities. They aretasty and feel almost like an indulgent snack(thanks, white chocolate!), but they really have nourishing ingredients that fuel me and my kids as we hustle and bustle.

They’re also a great option to bring hiking, on a picnic, or to a play date when you and the kids just need a bite of something to hold you over until the next meal.I love throwing them into packed lunches, too!

a baking sheet with parchment and whole cranberry granola bars pressed out.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love a granola bar because it’spacked with nutrients and vitamins, and these onestaste indulgenteven though they’re full of nutritious ingredients!
Thesesimple homemade granola barsmake a great snackfor home or while away—easy to make, easy to pack, and easy to eat with hands.
The honey and cranberries lend lots of natural sweetness—the white chocolate is just a fun topping!

sticky sauce and cranberries being poured into granola.

Recipe Ingredients

Butter –if using salted butter, use less salt than called for in the recipe
Brown sugar
Honey
Milk
Dried sweetened cranberries– like Craisins or use dried sweet cherries
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Old-fashioned rolled oats
Crispy rice cereal
White chocolate

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make White Chocolate and Craisin Granola Bars

sticky sauce for cranberry granola bars.

Step 1:Melt the butter, then add brown sugar, salt, milk, honey & cranberries.

Step 2:Add vanilla & cinnamon and mix. Pour hot mixture over oats and rice cereal.

Step 3:Mix together the wet & dry ingredients until well combined.

Step 4: Pour onto a baking sheet with parchment paper and let cool. Cut into bars.

Recipe FAQs

How do you get granola bars to stick together?

Honey is the binding agent in these bars, and when melted and mixed with the other ingredients, it creates a sticky combination that holds the bars together as they bake.

What is the healthiest granola bar for you?

I happen to think homemade granola bars are always ideal and best for you because you know precisely what’s in them. If you start looking at ingredient lists for store-bought bars, you might be surprised to see some additives and other ingredients you’ve never heard of and probably don’t want to feed your family.

How are granola bars made?

Granola bars are made by melting together binding ingredients, mixing it with the dry ingredients, baking the mixture on a rimmed baking sheet, and letting them cool slightly so you can cut them into the shapes of bars. For extra fun, I melt white chocolate and drizzle it over top of the finished and cooled bars!

Can you freeze granola bars?

You can! Just place them in a freezer-safe baggie or container, and freeze for up to 4 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for an hour to enjoy them!

Expert Tips

If you want them to be a little less sweet, but still delicious, just skip the white chocolate drizzle.
Granola bars can be placed in airtight freezer-safe containers and frozen for up to 4 months. A perfect make-ahead snack!
I’m sure your family will beg you to make more granola bars after tasting this recipe, so here are plenty ofhomemade granola recipes, including more bars!