Let’s be real—store-bought snack bars might be convenient, but they usually taste like cardboard mixed with disappointment. Why settle for that when you can easily whip up something way better at home? These 22 homemade snack bars will make you question why you ever bothered with the prepackaged stuff. Packed with real flavor and simple enough to throw together on a lazy Sunday, they’ll have you saying goodbye to overpriced, over-processed snacks for good.
Chewy Cherry Oat Bars
These cherry oat bars pack a chewy punch with an optional chocolate drizzle that makes them a versatile snack. Great for satisfying those midday cravings or fueling up for your next workout, they easily outshine store-bought options.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Cherry Oat Bars
Homemade Chocolate Granola Bars
Healthy and oat-based with no added sugar, these chocolate granola bars are easy to customize with your favorite add-ins. Perfect for those who prefer a nutritious, homemade snack over the overly processed store-bought alternatives.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chocolate Granola Bars
Sweet Potato Oat Bars
These filling and nutritious sweet potato oat bars make a great snack that’s easy to mix up with dried fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. They’re a reliable go-to for anyone who wants to skip the store-bought options.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Oat Bars
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars
No-bake and packed with chocolate chips and dried tart cherries, these cashew-based cookie dough bars are both indulgent and nutritious. A homemade treat that leaves commercial snack bars far behind.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars
Snickerdoodle Protein Bars
All the classic cinnamon-sugar goodness rolled into a no-bake, dairy-free protein bar. Ready in minutes, these bars are a quick, high-protein snack perfect for busy moms who want to avoid store-bought protein bars.
Get the Recipe: Snickerdoodle Protein Bars
Homemade Cereal Bars
Marshmallow-coated Honey Nut Cheerios topped with M&M’s and white chocolate make these cereal bars perfect for breakfast, snacking, or parties. A fun and creative homemade option that’s a clear step up from the store-bought stuff.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cereal Bars
No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars
Quick and easy to make, these no-bake peanut butter bars feature a crunchy cookie base topped with soft, chewy peanut butter and crisp milk chocolate. A homemade classic that beats anything store-bought.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Bars
Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars
Childhood’s favorite sandwich turned into a gluten-free and vegan bar. These Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars work as breakfast, lunch, a snack, or dessert, making them a versatile option that leaves store-bought bars in the dust.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Crumble Bars
Easy Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
Bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, these naturally sweetened Strawberry Banana Oat Bars are packed with ripe bananas and the nutty goodness of peanut butter. They’re a perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack that’s far better than anything prepackaged.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
No-Bake Key Lime Protein Bars
These key lime protein bars capture the sweet and tangy flavor of your favorite pie while being loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Perfect for a homemade stash that outperforms prepackaged options.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Key Lime Protein Bars
Raspberry Peanut Butter Bars
These bars are a must-try for peanut butter lovers, stuffed with raspberry jam and making the perfect easy dessert or sweet snack. Homemade and satisfying, they’re way better than anything you’ll find on the shelves.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Peanut Butter Bars
Salted Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Loaded with chocolate chips, these peanut butter cookie bars are hard to resist. The dough requires no chilling, so they’re ready in just 30 minutes, giving you a quick homemade treat that tops store-bought options.
Get the Recipe: Salted Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Lucky Charms Granola Bars
Made with Lucky Charms cereal, oats, and white chocolate chips, these no-bake granola bars are a fun treat for St. Patrick’s Day or any time of year. A homemade favorite that stands out from ordinary store-bought bars.
Get the Recipe: Lucky Charms Granola Bars
Pumpkin Granola Bars
Pumpkin spice fans will love these granola bars, filled with the flavors of pumpkin pie and loaded with seeds, dried fruit, and nuts. A convenient grab-and-go option that’s far superior to prepackaged alternatives.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Granola Bars
Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust
These homemade lemon bars are bursting with tart lemon flavor, thanks to a combination of lemon juice, zest, and extract. The buttery shortbread crust melts in your mouth, making this a dessert that puts store-bought versions to shame.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust
Cherry Mash Bars
Featuring layers of sweet cherry candy and rich chocolate peanut butter, these cherry mash bars are a homemade treat that’s perfect for dessert or snacking. Skip the store-bought and make these crowd-pleasers instead.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Mash Bars
Hello Dolly Bars
Also known as 7 Layer Bars, these Hello Dolly Bars have been a holiday tradition for years. Made with butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, pecans, graham crackers, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk, they’re a homemade classic that leaves store-bought treats behind.
Get the Recipe: Hello Dolly Bars
Energy Snack Seed Bars with Tahini
Crunchy, chewy, and packed with seeds, these energy snack bars with tahini and honey are easy to make and perfect for an on-the-go snack. They provide homemade energy that beats anything you’d find at the store.
Get the Recipe: Energy Snack Seed Bars with Tahini
Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars
These carrot cake oatmeal bars are packed with nuts, oats, banana, and shredded carrots, giving you a taste of carrot cake in a convenient snack form. A homemade option that makes you forget about store-bought bars.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bars
Chia Fruit and Nut Bars
With just seven ingredients and no cooking required, these chia fruit and nut bars are a quick and easy homemade snack. Their simple preparation and nutrient-packed ingredients make them a better choice than prepackaged options.
Get the Recipe: Chia Fruit and Nut Bars
Savory Granola Bars
These savory sun-dried tomato pizza bars offer a cheesy, flavorful snack or on-the-go breakfast. Loaded with nutrition and staying power, they easily trump the typical sweet store-bought granola bar.
Get the Recipe: Savory Granola Bars
Homemade Snickers Bars
Chewy nougat, salted peanut caramel, roasted peanuts, and chocolate come together in these homemade vegan Snickers bars. This no-bake recipe is a healthier copycat that will make you rethink ever buying the original again.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Snickers Bars
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
