These homemade Mint Granola Bars are better than store-bought bars. They are easy to make and have a soft and chewy texture, perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Granola bars are a versatile snack because they can be a healthy treat or a sweet snack. I always use the base of these caramel oatmeal bars to make baked granola bars.
When our children were younger, they devoured granola bars, so we always tried to come up with new and exciting flavors to offer them. Typically, we kept M&M granola bars and Nutella bars in stock every week.
After finding an extra package of mint cookies in the pantry, I was inspired to create these cookie granola bars. They are simple to make and only take around 20 minutes to bake.
You can enjoy each chewy bar plain or add a green and chocolate drizzle for St. Patrick's Day. Both options are equally delicious.
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Why This Mint Bars Recipe Works
These thin mint granola bars are perfect for a quick breakfast or a sweet treat. They're easy to make and will satisfy your sweet cravings.
- Easy to Make - Skip the store-bought oatmeal breakfast bars and make this homemade version in under 30 minutes.
- Cookie Flavor - Crushed cookies add a pop of fresh mint flavor and a chocolatey taste to these bars.
- Snack Size - Enjoy them for breakfast, school lunches, or after-school snacks,
What You'll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to make baked chocolate mint granola bars. Here's what you need:
- Quick Oats - These are the primary base. The small oats hold together better, but you can also use rolled oats.
- Flour - Use the "fluff and spoon" method to avoid adding too much flour. See how to measure flour if you are unsure.
- Large Eggs - Bind the ingredients together.
- Butter - We like to use unsalted butter in our recipes because it gives us better control over the saltiness.
- Brown Sugar - Adds sweetness to the treats and helps with the chewy texture.
- Mint Chocolate Cookies - Thin mints or Grasshoppers give the flavor of cool mint cookies and cream.
- Topping - A drizzle of melted green candy wafers and chocolate chips adds a pretty topping to the mint chocolate treats. I highly recommend it, but the extra topping is optional.
BruCrew Tip: Use the leftover cookies to make a mint latte or these thin mint brownies.
How To Make Mint Granola Bars
The dough for these mint granola bars can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. Get ready to whip up something delicious! Grab a bowl and let's get baking!
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and then mix again.
- Stir in the dry ingredients. In another bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and salt. Slowly add the oat mixture to the creamy butter. The dough is thick.
- Add the cookies. Crush the mint cookies in a food processor, then stir them gently into the batter.
- Bake and decorate. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and then bake. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 12 bars, then drizzle with melted chocolate.
Storage Recommendations
On the Counter - Store the baked oatmeal squares in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
In the Refrigerator - Wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
In the Freezer - You can freeze these snacks in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
Tips and Tricks
- Use parchment paper. Line the pan so you can easily remove the entire pan of oat bars before cutting.
- Add other mixins. Experiment with small pieces like chocolate chunks, mint chocolate chips, or freeze-dried marshmallows.
- Want a crunch? Add rice krispies or cacao nibs to the dough for a nice crunch in each one.
- Use green food coloring. Add a pop of color to the topping for different holidays.
- Do not overbake! If these bars are baked too long, they become hard and crumbly.
FAQs
I recommend using quick oats for this recipe. Rolled oats will give you a coarser, chewier texture. If you only have rolled oats, pulse them in a blender or food processor to break them down.
Any crunchy cookie you prefer would be a good choice. We have had good results with Oreos, Pecan Sandies, Chips Ahoy, and frosted animal crackers.
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Recipe
Mint Granola Bars
These Thin Mint Granola Bars are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or lunch boxes. Adding crushed chocolate cookies add another dimension of flavor to these sweet homemade granola bars.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups quick oats
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups crushed Thin Mint cookies (or Keebler Grasshoppers)
- ½ cup green candy melts
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon shortening, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir in the flour, oats, salt, and cookie crumbs until everything is mixed together. The batter will be very thick.
- Press the mixture evenly into greased pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool. Cut into 16 bars.
- Place the green candy melts and ½ teaspoon shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat 30 seconds and stir. Repeat. Stir until melted and creamy. Spoon into a plastic baggie with one tip cut off. Drizzle over the bars.
- Repeat with the chocolate chips and remaining shortening. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 378Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 94mgCarbohydrates: 64gFiber: 2gSugar: 35gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in March 2014. It was updated and then republished in March 2024.
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
Great recipe! I love different kinds of granola:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Ilona! 🙂
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker
These bars look amazing!! Chocolate and mint is one of my favorite combinations and I always justify the $5 cookies in one serving 😮 I'm bad for myself.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Yeah, I usually can't justify spending $5 on a single serving size of cookies (come on, we all know the box is for one person!!) so I usually use the Keebler swap myself. I must make these granola bars; they look SO awesome!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I totally agree the box is just for one person! 😉 Thanks Hayley!
Kelly
I LOVE Thin Mints. Any dessert recipe involving something with mint in the title is a must bake for me. I will definitely be giving these a try!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You will love these, I promise! 😉
Risa
With Thin Mints winning the title of America's favorite cookie this year, these granola bars are sure to be a hit! I can't wait to try these myself (Girl Scout mom here!)
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
Oh my goodness! I bet these are incredible! Love mint.
Have a great day Jocelyn!
Chloe @ foodlikecake
Homemade granola bars are awesome and thin mints are amazing, so these look perfect!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chloe! 🙂
Kelly
I am obsessed with homemade granola bars and these thin mint ones are amazing!! Love the pretty drizzle - you make the best GS treats:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Kelly! 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Oh my gosh! Move over Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, there's a new kid in town!
These are my kind of granola bars. Chocolate mint for lyfe yo'! Pinned
Jennie @themessybakerblog
I love that your daughter knows you so well. Squirrel now asks permission to eat food before digging in. I only buy Thin Mints once a year; the rest of the year I buy Keebler Grasshopper cookies when they go on sale. This here is one creative recipe. Love it! Pinned.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I love that she knows me so well too! 😉 Thanks Jennie!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
GAH! I love these SO much. I might actually make a homemade granola bar LOL!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks girl!! 😉
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen
These are my kind of granola bars!! WOW
Beth @ bethcakes
These granola bars look awesome! I currently have some boxes of Girl Scout cookies under my desk in my bedroom, so I definitely know what you mean about hiding things so your family won't eat them. Haha. 🙂 I absolutely love the green and chocolate drizzle on these bars!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Beth! 🙂
Chels R.
Mmmm!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
You are the queen of granola bars! I seriously need help in making them! Looks great!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks girl! 🙂
Wendy
Its good to know that Thin Mint addictions can be taken care of with Thin Mint knock offs year round! Even better, its good to know that delicious recipes like these granola bars can be made even when it isn't Girl Scout cookie season! Chewy-crunchy granola bars that taste like thin mints have to be delicious!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
These granola bars look so fantastic! Now I want some of this!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jocelyn! 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron
I love thin mints! They are definitely my favorite girl scout cookie. Your drizzle on these bars is incredible!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chelsea! 🙂
LuAnn Braley
We each usually inhale one package of Thin Mints. Maybe if we double this year's order...because these have got to be made! I pinned the top picture.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Mint and chocolate is always so awesome. Love this DIY bar! And those green drizzles 🙂 pinned
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl! 🙂