Description
These easy no-bake granola bars are a quick and customizable snack that combines oats, nut butter, honey, and your favorite mix-ins like nuts, seeds, chocolate, and dried fruit. Perfect for a grab-and-go energy boost, they require no baking and offer a chewy, satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned oats or quick-cooking oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups mix-ins (nuts, seeds, chocolate, shredded coconut or dried fruit)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Line a 9-inch square baker with two strips of criss-crossed parchment paper that fit neatly against the base and sides, making it easier to remove and slice the bars later.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, ground cinnamon, and sea salt, stirring well. Set aside.
- Process mix-ins: Use a food processor or blender to blitz nuts and other mix-ins briefly into smaller pieces, smaller than your pinky nail. Pour the chopped mix-ins into the bowl with the oats.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the nut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until smooth. If needed, gently warm the mixture to combine but ensure it's near room temperature before proceeding.
- Combine mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir thoroughly until evenly combined with no remaining dry oats. If the mixture is too wet, gradually add more oats until it holds together well.
- Press into pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Use a flat-bottomed object like a sturdy drinking glass to press and compact the mixture firmly and evenly.
- Chill: Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to allow the bars to set and for the oats to absorb moisture.
- Slice bars: Remove the chilled mixture by lifting the parchment paper, then slice into 16 bars by cutting 4 columns and 4 rows with a sharp knife.
- Store: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature for several days, in the fridge for a couple of weeks, or in the freezer for several months for best flavor.
Notes
- Mix-in options include any combination of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or dried cranberries or cherries. Larger pieces should be chopped into smaller sizes for even mixing.
- For a smoother texture, pulse old-fashioned oats in a food processor for 3 to 5 seconds before mixing.
- To sweeten with Medjool dates instead of honey or syrup, soak 12 dates in hot water for 10 minutes, pit and chop, then blend with 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup until smooth.
- Use certified gluten-free oats for a gluten-free version.
- For a nut-free version, substitute nut butter with sunflower seed butter and omit nuts, replacing with seeds like pepitas or sunflower seeds.
- For vegan bars, replace honey with maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
