Air-Fryer Granola Bars: Quick, Easy, And Healthy!

Making granola bars in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy a delicious and healthy snack. It is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, as air fryers use hot air and a small amount of oil to cook food. The hot air circulates around the granola mixture, causing it to cook and crisp up evenly.

The process is simple: mix together oats, nuts, dried fruit, a sweetener, nut butter, and vanilla. Then, cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, let cool, cut into bars, and store in an airtight container. The ability to customise the ingredients means you can make granola bars that suit your taste preferences and dietary requirements.

Choosing the right ingredients

Oats:

The base of your granola bars is oats, and it's recommended to use gluten-free rolled oats or old-fashioned rolled oats. These types of oats have a robust texture that will result in a chunky and crunchy granola bar. Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut oats as they are not suitable for this recipe. Rolled oats are a whole grain option and provide a nice crunchy texture.

Nuts and Seeds:

Nuts and seeds not only add flavour and crunch to your granola bars but also provide healthy fats, protein, and fibre. You can use a variety of nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, or any other nuts you prefer. Similarly, for seeds, you can use a mix of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, and poppy seeds.

Dried Fruit:

Dried fruit adds a natural sweetness and chewiness to your granola bars. You can use raisins, cranberries, cherries, dried apples, mango, pineapple, coconut, or a mix of your favourite dried fruits. Just be sure to choose options without added sugars or oils.

Sweetener:

To add some extra sweetness to your granola bars, you can use a liquid sweetener such as honey or maple syrup. If you're vegan, maple syrup is a great option. However, keep in mind that granola recipes can be made without any added sweeteners, using alternatives like mashed bananas or applesauce to provide the necessary liquid and sweetness.

Nut Butter:

Incorporating nut butter, such as peanut butter or almond butter, into your granola bars adds creaminess and helps bind the ingredients together. Choose natural nut butters without added sugar or oil for the healthiest option.

Spices:

To enhance the flavour of your granola bars, consider adding spices like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, or allspice. These spices can elevate the taste of your granola bars and make them even more irresistible.

Other Add-Ins:

You can further customise your granola bars by adding ingredients like citrus zest, vanilla extract, or non-nutritive sweeteners. If you're making granola bars for weight loss, consider adding more low-calorie ingredients like freeze-dried fruits and fewer nuts and seeds.

Remember, the beauty of making granola bars in an air fryer is the customisability it offers. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and find the perfect combination that suits your taste preferences and nutritional needs.

Mixing the ingredients

To make granola bars in an air fryer, you will need to mix together a variety of ingredients, including dry ingredients and wet ingredients. The specific ingredients and quantities may vary depending on the recipe you are following, but here is a general guide on mixing the ingredients for air fryer granola bars:

Firstly, gather all the ingredients you need for your chosen recipe. For example, you might be using rolled oats, nuts, dried fruit, a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, nut butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Measure out the required amounts of each ingredient.

Next, prepare any ingredients that need chopping or blending. For instance, you might need to chop nuts into smaller pieces or blend oats to a smoother texture. You can also decide whether to blend all the oats or just a portion of them, depending on your preferred texture.

Now, it's time to mix the ingredients. Start by combining the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. This typically includes the oats, nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients well to ensure they are evenly distributed.

In a separate bowl or saucepan, mix the wet ingredients. This usually includes the sweetener, nut butter, and vanilla extract. Heat this mixture over medium heat until they are combined and smooth. You can also add a small amount of oil or butter to this mixture if your recipe calls for it.

Once your wet ingredients are well combined, pour the wet mixture over the dry oat mixture. Stir the combined mixture thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are well coated with the wet mixture. Make sure to mix it well so that the granola bars will hold together during cooking.

At this point, you can also add any extra mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or other customisations. Give the mixture a final stir to distribute the additional ingredients evenly.

Your granola bar mixture is now ready to be cooked in your air fryer! Remember to grease your air fryer basket or tray and spread the mixture evenly before cooking. Follow the recommended cooking temperature and time for your chosen recipe, and enjoy your freshly made air fryer granola bars!

Preparing the air fryer

To prepare your air fryer for making granola bars, you will need to line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper. This is important, as it stops the granola from falling through the grate and burning. You can trim the parchment paper to size so it fits the baskets or trays perfectly.

It is also recommended to have a spatula to hand, as you will need to press down the granola mixture to create an even layer before air frying.

If you are making a recipe that requires melting ingredients together, you will need a saucepan. You will also need measuring tools to measure out the correct quantities of each ingredient.

Cooking the granola bars

Line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper. This is important, as without it, the granola will fall through the grate and burn. If you are using an air fryer baking pan, you don't need to line it with parchment paper.

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir well to combine.

Pour the granola mixture into the lined basket/tray and press down using a spatula to create an even layer. Make sure the mixture is compact and dense, as this will ensure the granola bars are chunky.

Set the air fryer temperature to between 320-360°F (160-180°C). Cook the granola for 10-15 minutes, checking regularly to ensure it is not burning. The granola is ready when it is golden brown and crisp.

Once cooked, remove the basket/tray from the air fryer and let the granola cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, grab the edges of the parchment paper and remove the granola from the basket/tray. Place it on a countertop and let it cool completely.

Finally, cut the granola into bars of your desired size. Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for up to 1 week.

Storing the granola bars

Once your granola bars are cooked, cooled, and cut, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and crispness. Here are some detailed tips and instructions for storing your homemade granola bars:

Room Temperature Storage:

• Airtight Container: Store your granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature. This will keep them fresh and crispy. You can use a glass jar or a sealable plastic container.
• Storage Duration: Homemade granola bars can be stored at room temperature for about one week. After that, they may start to lose their crispness and freshness.

Freezer Storage:

• Freezer-Safe Bag: If you want to store your granola bars for longer, consider freezing them. Place them in a freezer-safe plastic bag and seal it tightly, removing as much air as possible.
• Freezing Duration: Granola bars can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to eat them, simply thaw them at room temperature or enjoy them straight from the freezer for a chewier texture.

It's important to note that the storage duration may vary depending on the ingredients used and the humidity levels in your environment. Always check your granola bars for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in smell, texture, or the growth of mould, before consuming them.

Additionally, if you've added any fresh ingredients to your granola bars, such as yogurt or chopped fruits, they should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few days to prevent spoilage.

• Let Cool Completely: Before storing your granola bars, ensure they have cooled down completely. Storing warm granola bars can create condensation, leading to sogginess.
• Portion Individually: Consider wrapping individual bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper before placing them in the airtight container. This will make it easier to grab a bar on the go and prevent them from sticking together.
• Add Absorbent Material: If your environment is particularly humid, you can add a small packet of silica gel or a similar absorbent material to the storage container to help keep your granola bars dry and crispy.
• Label and Date: Label your storage container with the date of preparation to easily keep track of how long your granola bars have been stored.

Frequently asked questions