If there’s one thing that makes weekday lunches feel way easier, it’s having snacks ready to go. These crunchy granola bars are a total win for busy parents – simple ingredients, freezer-friendly, and perfect for popping into lunch boxes or grabbing on the way out the door.

They’re sweet enough to feel like a treat, sturdy enough to survive school bags, and ideal for a little weekend food prep session that sets you up for the week ahead ✨

Being organised doesn’t have to be boring – it just means future-you gets an easier morning.

Why we love these granola bars

• Lunchbox-friendly – no crumbs everywhere, no mess

• Budget-smart – made with pantry staples

• Prep once, snack all week

• Freezer-friendly for stress-free grab-and-go

Crunchy granola bars

Ingredients

• ¼ cup melted coconut oil

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup coconut sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

• 2 cups rolled oats

• ⅓ cup desiccated coconut

• A handful of chocolate chips

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C.

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.

3. Transfer the mixture to a lined baking tray and spread it into an even layer about 1 cm thick. Press it down firmly – this helps the bars hold together. Damp hands or an extra sheet of baking paper works perfectly.

4. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.

5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden.

6. Allow to cool completely at room temperature, then pop the tray into the fridge for 20 minutes before slicing into bars.

Food prep & storage tips

• These freeze beautifully (if they make it to the freezer) making them perfect for batch prep. Slice, freeze, and pull out as needed.

• Store them in Sinchies Reusable Freezer Bags to keep them fresh and organised – ideal for lunch boxes, kinder bags, or the pantry.

• Make sure the slice is fully cooled before cutting. Cutting too early can cause crumbling, but once set, they slice cleanly and hold their shape really well.

These crunchy granola bars are proof that a little prep goes a long way. One small effort on the weekend = calmer mornings, happy kids, and lunch boxes you actually feel good about.