Copycat Homemade Whole Food’s Granola Bar Recipe
The best WHOLE FOODS copycat Granola Bar Recipe!
The best WHOLE FOODS copycat Granola Bar Recipe!
A few weeks ago, I mentioned my love for Whole Foods’ granola bars—the ones that are always by the checkout line. A reader recommended a copycat recipe for them, and I was immediately intrigued. I finally made them on Wednesday, and I was blown away. A Spicy Perspective, the recipe creator, absolutely nailed it. Her version is so close to the original Whole Foods recipe that it’s almost unbelievable. She must have some inside scoop because they taste identical. I only made a few changes to her bars, but I’m so glad she created this recipe because I love being able to make my favorite treat homemade.
I know I’ll be using this recipe again and again. Over the past few days, I’ve been breaking the bars apart and adding them to my yogurt and smoothies. My mom joked that these bars are banned from her house because she ate four in one night. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t do the same…
The bars are also identical in appearance. The only thing I forgot to do was chop up the cashews, but it didn’t make much of a difference.
It’s fun to re-make recipes and do a review! I’m planning on doing a lot more of that this year. There are many talented chefs and bakers with great recipes to try. I’ve always been a throw-everything-together randomly type of girl, but I need to venture out more. The only problem with exploring her recipe was diving into her other posts. A Spicy Perspective is a great blog.
Making recipes packed with nuts and seeds can get pricey, especially when you only need a small portion of the bag. I measured the exact amounts I needed to save money and bought the nuts and seeds from the bulk section. However, next time, I think I’ll go ahead and buy the larger bags because I want to have plenty on hand to make more of these bags. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll make them repeatedly.
I was so excited about these bars that I couldn’t wait to show them off. As soon as I saw Kyle, I practically shoved them in his face to try.
Did he love them? YES!
Copycat Homemade Whole Food’s Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Whole Oats (or quick oats)
- 3/4 Cup Almonds (I used roasted)
- 3/4 Cup Raw Cashews (chop if you want!)
- 1/2 Cup Raw Pepitas
- 2/3 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/2 Cup Raisins
- 1/3 Cup Sesame Seeds
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (i used the Truvia Blend)
- 1/3 Cup Brown Rice Syrup
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
- 1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
Instructions
- Use a food processor or blender to grind up the oats. **I ended up using quick oats as is
- Combine the oats, sesame seeds, raisins, cranberries, cashews, pepitas, almonds, and shredded coconut in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Add the brown sugar, coconut oil, honey, and brown rice syrup to a sauce pot and heat on high over the stovetop. Remove from the heat once the coconut oil melts, and stir in the sea salt and vanilla.
- Pour the syrup over the dry ingredients and mix well. Make sure to get every ingredient coated in the syrup.
- Scoop the mixture out on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Spread evenly.
- Place a separate sheet of wax paper over the top of the bars and press down until the bars are flat and packed.
- Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before slicing them into bars.
- Cut into squares, wrap, and store in the refrigerator! * I wrapped mine and put them in a container.
COPY CAT WHOLE FOODS GRANOLA BAR INGREDIENTS
- Whole oats (or quick oats)
- Almonds (roasted works great)
- Raw cashews
- Raw pepitas
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Dried cranberries
- Raisins
- Sesame seeds
- Brown sugar
- Brown rice syrup
- Honey
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt
These bars are perfect for snacking, great for kids, and easy to make! There’s no baking involved, which is always a bonus. You can pack them in your kid’s lunches, bring them to sporting events, or keep them in your office when you need a quick bite. You don’t need any excuses to make or enjoy these; they’re also budget-friendly. Store-bought granola or protein bars can be pricey, so making your own is worth it. Plus, it’s nice to know exactly what goes into them, and you can customize them any way you like! 😊
These bars are gluten-free and dairy-free, and they can easily be made vegan if you substitute the honey for agave! 
I can’t wait to make these again and again!
Ohhhh these look so good!! I already have most of the ingredients in my pantry too, can’t wait to make them!
One thing: what would you suggest to replace the brown rice syrup? (Or can it just be omitted all together?) that’s generally an ingredient I try and avoid in prepackaged foods, so would love to not have to worry about it in my home made version 🙂
They are so good, Samantha! Definitely, make them 🙂
Maybe just use extra honey? Not sure how it would work out! The brown rice syrup really holds it together, some people use cane sugar/Karo syrup, but I’m sure you don’t want to take that route! All I can suggest is extra honey?
Tofu kebabs please! I’ve just gone vegan and I need some ideas 😀
Awesome! 😀
If I could only eat one thing in the world, it’d be granola! (next to rice, of course, hah) I wish there were Whole Foods here, I miss it so much! Can’t wait to try out this recipe. 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Then you’ll LOVE this recipe!
My kindergartener loves these! We buy them at Whole Foods all the time, so thank you for sharing and reviewing the recipe with us! I’m looking forward to trying them out.
Let me know what you think! xo
I love the words ou adding to your photos!
Your blog is so fun 🙂 Is this your full-time job?
Awwww thanks, Brit!!!
& yes it is!
I love the Whole Foods bars!
I think you should post the kebabs!
They are so good, and this recipe is SPOT ON!
These look amazing! Thanks for sharing the review. I can’t wait to make these with my daughter!
Enjoy! They are fun to make 🙂
These look soooo good! I have a backpacking trip tomorrow so I’m going to try them out for an easy hiking snack. One recipe I pretty much always have made and ready to go is superhero muffins http://www.runfasteatslow.com/blog/2015/9/25/superhero-muffins They are so easy for breakfast on the go or before a workout. Actually ever recipe in that cookbook is a winner for me. I would love to see a recipe for kebabs its finally warming up here so I am ready for all the grilled foods.
Hi, Sarah!
These are PERFECT for backpacking!
Thanks for the recipe! I’ll have to check it out! I need to make some muffins today 😀
xo xo xo Have a great backpacking trip! how exciting!
These look delicious! I have moved to making more homemade snacks instead of packaged. I can’t wait to try these!
This chicken recipe is one that we make ALL the time! It’s so easy and yummy. We usually roast vegetables with ours 🙂
http://kitchencomforts.org/2017/10/19/gluten-free-baked-chicken/
Thanks, Sara! I think you’ll love these.
MMMMMM THAT LOOKS AMAZING!
These look amazing! Do you have any recommendations on a replacement for the coconut oil? (I’m allergic to coconut 😭)
Hi, Sarah!
If I had to swap coconut oil, i’d go with butter.
Loving this and cannot wait to try it! Your recipes are always spot on!
Thanks, Annie!
This one is actually not my recipe!:) But it’s still on point!!
You have GOT to try my famous green goddess lasagna:
https://thefitty.com/2014/05/02/green-and-white-lasagna/
And i vouch for salmon!!
Looks great, Linda!
DOESN’T IT?! Try it out sometime, Tara?
Where do you grocery shop?
Everywhere! lol
I read this too late! Just got back from Whole Foods— I went in for granola and that almond milk you use! You’re reading my mind today 😆
Hahaha! whoops! 😀
I made them today and they are soo good!
I had one for breakfast 😀
Oh. My. Goodness. I literally want to lick my screen right now. Weird? I think not. This looks SO GOOD. We’re really trying to make moves away from processed foods because they put SO much weird and unnecessary stuff in most of it, but I’m also a big snack girl (especially as a teacher who’s always go go go-ing). This is everything I want in one little delicious bar of goodness and I know everything that’s in it, which is the biggest plus!
So yes, in case it wasn’t obvious haha, I will be making these and I have a feeling Ben will be stealing most of them.
This cold brew coffee protein shake is LIFE for us, especially in the summer when Costco has organic cold brew stocked. Peanut butter protein powder is they key! IT’S SO GOOD!
https://www.milehighdreamers.com/cold-brew-coffee-protein-shake/
Ahhh I can’t decide between white chocolate nut balls or kebabs…. So I’m looking forward to both!
Haha never weird!
You can also customize the recipe and add in or leave out whatever you want, or play with it everytime you make them! I want to add white chocolate chips next time 🙂
🙂 you’ll LOVE LOVE LOVE these!
thanks for the recipe!
xo!
Can I use extra honey instead of brown rice sugar?
Yes! 🙂 Just stack them thicker. They’ll hold better! Use a smaller pan so they are about an inch thick.
Where did you get the green napkin with the leaves?
It’s fabric I sewed into a placemat lol got it at hobby lobby
Think I could add chocolate chips?
Yes!
I would add them in after coating the ingredients with the warm mixture. Just gradually mix them in or they’ll melt 🙂
Can I use quinoa instead of oats?
I have NO idea how that would turn out lol I’d say no……..but you could try?
Do you drink alcohol?
Not really! Maybe sipping wine on special occasions, but not really!
We made these last night! Such a hit!
So awesome!!
Do you have to warm up the honey and syrup?
I’d say yes 🙂 It melts the coconut oil, dissolves the brown sugar, and helps coat the dry ingredients easier.
For everyone asking, I used extra honey instead of the brown rice syrup and they turned out delicious. I took Taralynn’s advice and made them thicker.
That is great!
Loved the post! I’m curious, do you have a specific way of filing your recipes? Maybe I’m over thinking it, but I haven’t found the best method for doing so. I’d be interested in seeing how you do it! 🙂
I pretty much just print them and put them in a folder in my kitchen! lol
But…my boyfriend’s mom is incredible organized with her recipes.
She has a binder with laminated recipes in her kitchen. GENIUS! She just prints them and puts them in the laminated slots.
So glad you tried them! I made them again this weekend, so yummy 🙂
Thank you so much, Stephanie!!! 😀 LIFE CHANING! WHOOP
Changing *****
These were great!
I’m making another batch! lol
Please share your Tofu Kebabs. I would love to learn to make thoses. Xoxo
I will soon! 😀
Looks so good!
I’d love to see your white chocolate macadamia nut ball recipe! I love making the no-bake type bars to have on hand for breakfast. I hate getting up early for work so I try to make things as easy as possible in the mornings!
It’ll be up soon!!
1.Will you be making these?
Yes! I have to have a savory breakfast everyday, but I always want a little bit of sweet (usually fruit if I’m being healthy, pancakes/waffles if I am not) afterward. These would be perfect for a little mid-morning snack. I need to find a grocery store that sells in bulk so I don’t end up spending tons just for this recipe #budgetprobs
2.Do you have a favorite recipe that you’ve made multiple times? (Link me to it!)
Right now I’m loving egg roll bowls. Simple and quick recipe. Good for satisfying my takeout cravings with less money spent and calories ingested. This recipe is delicious just the way it is but I’ve made it a little healthier by using ground turkey and cutting the soy sauce in half (using regular because I didn’t have low sodium) and made it more filling by adding double coleslaw. http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/2014/07/eggroll-in-bowl.html
3.What recipe should I post Sunday!? Salmon, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Balls, or Tofu Kebabs!? Oh goodness. Honestly I love reading basically everything you post so I’d be happy with anything. I guess if I had to choose, I would be more interested in the tofu kebabs because they looked great in your IG story pics.
Hi, Madeline!
These are great for snacks! Perfect with coffee in the morning 🙂
Egg roll bowls? YUM!!!!!!!! (making)
I’ll have to post those kebabs soon!
amazing!
I made these and the taste was wonderful. The only problem was the bars didn’t hold together. Any suggestions?
These homemade granola bars look so wholesome and delicious!