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Healthy No Bake Granola Bars
I am such a huge fan of these homemade, no-bake granola bars. They are an easy, healthy snack recipe made with pantry staples like rolled oats, dried fruit, and nuts, providing plenty of healthy fats, protein, and fiber to keep you satisfied until your next meal.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Granola Bar Recipe
Granola bars are a great way for your kids to fuel up with a healthy snack after school or practice. They are so simple to make and come together in just 10 minutes. Here are some other reasons you are going to love this recipe:
- Fast Snack Prep: I make these homemade granola bars and other no bake bars on the weekends and it only takes me 10 minutes to chop up and mix the ingredients together. Then I just pop them in the freezer to firm up, which is completely hands off for me!
- No Cooking Required: There is no baking and no making a sugary sauce on the stove top to pour over the oats, fruit, and nuts. You just mix it all together and pop it in the freezer to set up for 20 minutes. If you are looking for a baked granola bar recipe, try our Nutty Cranberry Granola Bars or Honey Sesame Granola Bark.
- Gluten Free: We use gluten free oats in all of our oat based recipes.
- Natural Sweetness: The sweetness in these no-bake granola bars comes from honey (or maple syrup if you are vegan) and dried fruit.
- No Preservatives: Because these are homemade granola bars, you get the added assurance that there are absolutely no added colors, dyes, sugars, starches, or preservatives!
You can make them with the kids this afternoon!
And if you are looking for more healthy no bake snack recipes, try our No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls , No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cups, or No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites.
Ingredients:
Makes 8-10 bars
- 1 cup packed Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats, you can use gluten free
- ½ cup chopped almonds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup dried mango, chopped
Variations and Substitutions
The wonderful thing about homemade granola bars is you can customize them however you like…or your kids like! Here are some fun and healthy ways you can create the granola bars best for your family.
- Add Chocolate: I love adding a few high quality chocolate chips to our granola bars on occasion. Choose a high cacao percentage for more health benefits and less sugar.
- Change the Fruit: Use whatever dried fruit you have in your pantry. Cranberries, raisins, apricots, and even dried apples or dried pineapple could be a great addition.
- Add Different Nuts and Seeds: These would also be delicious with sunflower seeds instead of pepitas, and pistachios, walnuts, or pecans instead of almonds. Again, use what you have.
- Use Coconut: Unsweetened coconut would also be a fabulous addition to these. Especially if you use the mangos or dried pineapple. I even made a coconut oat bar that is delicious and you may like too.
- Add Nut Butter or Seed Butter: For a slightly more protein and a nutty flavor, add Sun Butter, natural peanut butter, almond butter, or another that you prefer.
- Make them Vegan: To make vegan granola bars, swap out the honey for maple syrup or your favorite natural sweetener.
Instructions:
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In the bowl of a food processor, process dates and honey until they form a paste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds and dried fruits.
- Add date mixture to oat mixture and mix, using your hands or a spoon, until well combined.
- Scoop mixture into the prepared pan and firmly press into an even layer.
- Chill in the freezer for about 20 minutes until firm.
- Remove from freezer and lift granola mixture out of pan using the overhang paper on the sides.
- Cut into bars and serve, or store in an airtight container refrigerated, or frozen (freezer is my preference.)
Enjoy!
❤Rachel
Rachel’s tips for best results
- Press the mixture into the baking dish firmly using a spoon or jar so the granola bars hold together better.
- Store them in the refrigerator to help keep them from falling apart.
If you are interested in more meal prep recipes, our site contains meal prep ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks and desserts. You can search in the search bar or click the link above. But here are some of our favorite no-bake breakfast meal prep ideas; Overnight Oatmeal Banana Pudding Parfaits, Piña Colada Overnight Oats, or Coconut Mango Chia Pudding.
Storage Tips
To help these granola bars stay good longer, try these tips:
- Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Wrap the individual granola bars tightly in parchment paper or plastic wrap and freeze them for 2 months.
- Vacuum seal the individual bars and freeze them for up to 3 months.
FAQ’s
Are these homemade granola bars healthy?
These granola bars are healthy because they use natural, whole food ingredients full of healthy protein, fat, and fiber.
Are these granola bars good for kids?
My kids love these easy granola bars and they also love helping me make them.
Why are my granola bars falling apart?
Because these are an all natural granola bar, they may be a bit more crumbly than a store bought bar. Try keeping them cold so they stay firm.
More similar no-bake recipes you’ll love:
No Bake Granola Bars (Easy Healthy Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed Medjool dates, pitted
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats, you can use gluten free
- ½ cup chopped almonds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup dried mango, chopped
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In the bowl of a food processor, process dates and honey until they form a paste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds and dried fruits.
- Add date mixture to oat mixture and mix, using your hands or a spoon, until well combined. Scoop mixture into the prepared pan and firmly press into an even layer.
- Chill in the freezer for about 20 minutes until firm. Remove from freezer and lift granola mixture out of pan using the overhang
- paper on the sides.
- Cut into bars and serve, or store in an airtight container refrigerated, or frozen (freezer is my preference)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
