Where would we be without the nutty, chewy, satisfyingly sweet snack that is the homemade granola bar? 

Waaaay back in the day, we published a list of five grocery store foods you should try to avoid. Think flavored microwave popcorn, sugar-loaded salad dressings, and sweetened yogurt or oatmeal packs. And while we may not have included granola bars on the list, plain old granola did make the cut — and when you think about it, the two are essentially the same.

Just like the granola you sprinkle over yogurt, load on top of smoothies, or eat straight out of the bag, store-bought granola bars can be riddled with a mile-long list of ingredients you can’t pronounce and probably don’t want to eat.

But lucky for all you snackers out there, the homemade kinds are easy as can be — not to mention 100% customizable.

Now, shall we?

How to make granola bars

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the bars:

• 3 Cups Rolled Oats
• 1 Cup Oat Bran
• 3/4 Cup Raw Walnuts And/Or Almonds, roughly chopped
• 3/4 Cup Raw Hazelnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/2 Cup Raw Pistachios, roughly chopped
• 2/3 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
• 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries/Raisins
• 1/2 Cup Dried Apricots, diced
• 3/4 Cup Honey
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
• 3/4 Teaspoons Salt

For the chocolate coating (optional)

• 1 Cup White Chocolate
• 1 Cup Dark Chocolate
• 4 Teaspoons Coconut Oil
• Candy Eyes

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Combine oats, oat bran, nuts, coconut, and dried fruit in a large bowl. Mix well and set aside.

2. Place the honey and coconut oil in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stir, then immediately remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla and salt, then pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well.

3. Spread mixture out evenly, using another sheet of parchment/wax paper to press down.

4. Transfer to the fridge until set, at least 2 hours, then cut into rectangles.

5. To add some kid-friendly flair, melt dark and white chocolate in separate double broilers with two teaspoons coconut oil each for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to check periodically since chocolate burns easily! Stir until smooth.

6. Dip 1/3 of each granola bar in the chocolate, then place on the baking sheet and top with candy eyes. Return to the fridge until chocolate sets, and enjoy!

Now that you know how to make granola bars, try your hand at some other foods you probably never thought to make from scratch — including homemade jam, almond milk, barbecue sauce, and even hot sauce.