Granola bar

A granola bar is a snack bar made from granola, the baked mix of oats, nuts, dried fruit and a sweet binder.

Granola bar: A rectangular granola bar of oats, almonds and dried fruit pressed together, with visible rolled oats
  • Chocolate, sugar and confectionery

Granola was first developed and trademarked in the 1860s, faded for a time in the twentieth century, and returned in the 1960s. A famous batch served at the 1969 Woodstock festival used rolled oats, wheat germ, dried apricots, currants, almonds and honey.

Granola comes in many forms, including trail mix, bars and parfaits. A granola bar presses that mixture together with a sticky binder such as honey or syrup so it holds its shape and can be cut into portable pieces, either chewy or crisp.

Many commercial versions contain added sugar and fat, so bars range from simple oat and honey squares to candy-like treats with chocolate or fruit pieces.

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Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Granola's surprisingly fun history, plus portion size guidance, University of Wisconsin-Madison CALS