These Chewy Granola Bars are easy to make and perfect for breakfast or an after workout snack. They’re no bake with simple to find pantry ingredients and are gluten free and refined sugar free. Includes low carb, paleo, keto options.
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EASY SNACK BARS FOR ON THE GO
With a busy family on the go, we are always looking for more quick and easy snacks to have on hand.
Energy bites, breakfast cookies and granola bars are a few of our favorite healthy snacks to make ahead once it’s back to school season.
These chewy granola bars are a classic favorite. They are soft, chewy and super easy to make with just a few simple pantry ingredients.
Plus, they’re no bake so they’re perfect for summer when it’s too hot to turn on the oven and I’ve even included instructions for those times when you actually do want a warm baked snack.
You can even pack a few of these no bake granola bars with you on a hike or to the gym for after a workout when you’re in a hurry and need to eat on the run. Plus they’re perfect for packing into school or work lunchboxes.
WHY MAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP GRANOLA BARS AT HOME
What I love about making homemade granola bars is that you can customize them based on what you like or have in your pantry and kitchen. Plus, these gluten free granola bars are so much healthier than store-bought granola bars since they are not filled with a bunch of ingredients you can’t even pronounce.
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THIS HEALTHY GRANOLA BAR RECIPE:
For this classic granola bar recipe, you’re going to use:
WET INGREDIENTS TO BIND THE GRANOLA BARS
- coconut oil
- almond butter
- liquid sweetener – I used coconut nectar for my kids but if you are low carb keto, you can can also sub with sugar free maple syrup such as Lakanto, Sukrin Gold, brown rice syrup or honey
- vanilla extract
DRY INGREDIENTS FOR FLAVOR AND TEXTURE
- gluten free old fashioned rolled oats – for a low carb / paleo / keto granola bar, sub with flaked coconut from Bob’s Red Mill
- ground oat flour OR almond flour for low carb / paleo / keto
- sliced almonds
- shredded coconut
- ground cinnamon
- Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
- mini chocolate chips – use your favorite vegan or sugar free chocolate like Lily’s
Other add-ins of your choice:
- freeze-dried fruit
- sunflower seeds
- crispy rice cereal
- pumpkin seeds
- ground flax-seed
- chia seeds
- hemp hearts / hemp seeds
HOW TO MAKE CHEWY GRANOLA BARS:
- PREP YOUR BAKING PAN – Line a baking pan with parchment paper leaving an overhand for easier removal.
- HEAT THE WET INGREDIENTS & BRING TO A BOIL: In a large pot, heat coconut oil, almond butter and sweetener over medium-heat. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
- ADD THE DRY INGREDIENTS: Stir in the oats, almonds, coconut, cinnamon and salt.
- TRANSFER TO BAKING PAN: Spread the batter evenly into the baking pan and press down firmly either with your hands over a parchment paper or a spatula.
- BAKE OR FREEZE: Depending on the recipe, bake at 350 for 15-28 minutes or chill in the freezer until set.
- CUT INTO SLICES: Using a sharp knife, cut into bars.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR SOFT AND CHEWY OATMEAL BARS:
- For easier removal: line the baking pan with parchment paper with a slight overhang
- Try NOT to go overboard with your mix-ins, otherwise, the granola bars will crumble and fall apart
- If granola bar mixture seems too dry, the trick is to add just enough warm water (1-2 teaspoons at a time) to the mixture to help the ingredients bind and stick.
- Other ingredients that help granola bars bind well: egg, flax egg, pureed banana
- Alternatively, if granola bar mixture seems too wet, experiment by adding some more oats, shredded coconut or ground flax-seeds, finely ground oats or almond flour to help everything bind.
- Another important step is to press the granola mixture down VERY tightly and firmly into the pan. Use a spatula or lay a piece of parchment paper over the mixture while pressing down very hard using your hands.
- If the recipe calls for baking – try not to overbake and allow to cool completely before slicing into bars
- Chill the pan in the fridge or freezer prior to cutting into bars for a cleaner slice.
CAN I BAKE THESE NO BAKE GRANOLA BARS?
During the summer, not everyone wants to heat up their house to bake granola bars.
As much as I love a good no bake recipe, popping the baking pan into the oven for just 15-20 minutes helps the granola bars hold together without crumbling apart at room temperature.
But if you’re trying to avoid turning on the oven, you can pop the baking pan in the freezer for 1 hour until the bars are set and then be sure to store them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them so that they hold their shape and don’t fall apart.
ARE CHEWY GRANOLA BARS HEALTHY?
Making your own homemade granola bars means you can skip the store-bought stuff. Many of these chewy granola bars have questionable ingredients with words you may not be able to pronounce.
That’s why I love how simple these classic granola bars are to customize. You can pack them with a ton of wholesome & feel good ingredients. These chewy granola bars are healthier, more delicious and take no time at all to make!
More healthy granola bar recipes you might like:
No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2/3 cup drippy almond butter can also sub with peanut butter OR your favorite nut or seed butter
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup coconut nectar , can also sub with sugar free maple syrup such as Lakanto, Sukrin Gold, brown rice syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten free old fashioned rolled oats , can sub with flaked coconut from Bob's Red Mill for low carb / paleo
- 1/3 cup finely ground oat flour OR superfine blanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
- 1/2 cup almonds OR pecans , chopped
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips , optional (use vegan or sugar free brand such as Lily's as needed)
- 1/2 tablespoon water
Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easier removal. Set aside.
In a large pot, heat coconut oil, almond butter and sweetener over medium-heat until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower the heat and simmer until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt
until combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the oats, flour, almonds, coconut, cinnamon and salt until dough is combined and sticks together. Add water and fold in the chopped nuts.Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan while pressing down very firmly and flattening with a spatula until tight and compressed. Press in the optional chocolate chips.
Place the pan in the freezer for 1 hour or until bars are set.
Use the parchment overhang to transfer the uncut bars to a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, cut into even bars. Bars get softer when left out at room temperature. Store leftovers in a clear resealable bag or container in the fridge or freezer.
Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 15-18 minutes, until edges are slightly brown.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Use the parchment overhang to transfer the uncut bars to a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, cut into even bars. Store leftovers in a clear resealable bag or container in the fridge or freezer.
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