What makes a Granola Bar Gooey & Chewy?

Last night I made a first attempt at making granola bars. I should have made a smaller batch for sure. I have that problem often! Turned out pretty good, but not quite like I wanted them. I dream of making a copycat fiber bar you find on store shelves which get a little spendy when you like them as much as I do!

The bars I made are tasty but I want to try another round. It'll be a challenge to finish eating this batch before I start experimenting again... I'll probably run out of freezer room!

Have you ever made your own granola bars? Have any tricks and tips to share?

I don't recall my exact ingredient amounts but here's a basic idea. (All stuff I had in my cupboards already)

Quick oats 1 cup

Steel Cut oats 1 cup

Rolled oats 1 cup

Wheat germ 1 cup

Ground Flax Seed 4 Tbs

Rice Puff Cereal 2 cups

About 2 cups of the chocolate nut mix to the right. It's a really good mix on it's own so I thought it'd be great in a granola bar.

Cinnamon 1/2 tsp

Honey about 1/2 cup

Pure Maple syrup 1/3 cup

Brown sugar 2/3 cup approx.

Margarine 1/2 cup approx.

Water 1/6 cup approx.

Sea salt less than 1/2 tsp

Vanilla 1 Tbs

Sprinkled some mini semi-sweet chips 3 Tbs

I think that's it...

Mixed it all together and pressed it into a pan. Baked for 20 mins at 350°

I wonder if I have to use corn syrup to get the gooey chewiness that the store bought brands have...?

I think my next batch will have more rice cereal type stuff and fewer oats to get a lighter texture. Gotta figure out the secret to chewiness though.

-Carissa