Description
This Homemade No Bake Granola Bars recipe offers a quick and easy way to make delicious, healthy snacks without any baking. Packed with rolled oats, nut butter, honey, and your choice of mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit, these bars are perfect for an energy-boosting treat or on-the-go snack. Ready in just over two hours including chilling time, this no-bake recipe is simple, customizable, and nutritious.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, or nuts)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter)
- ⅓ cup honey (or maple syrup, or agave)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the edges to make it easier to lift out the granola bars once set.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups of rolled oats with your chosen ½ cup of mix-ins such as chocolate chips, dried fruits, seeds, or nuts. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Heat Wet Ingredients: Place the ½ cup of nut butter and ⅓ cup of honey (or maple syrup/agave) into a small saucepan over low heat. Gently melt and stir until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat and stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using) and a pinch of salt to enhance flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the warm melted nut butter mixture over the oat mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the oats and mix-ins are well coated with the sticky binder.
- Press into the Pan: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using the back of a spoon or spatula, firmly press the mixture down in an even layer. This compacts the ingredients so the bars hold together properly once chilled.
- Chill: Place the baking dish in the refrigerator. Allow the granola bars to set and firm up for at least 2 hours, which helps them become solid enough to cut cleanly.
- Slice and Serve: After chilling, lift the set granola slab out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 10 to 12 bars with a sharp knife. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for convenient snacking later.
Notes
- You can customize the bars by choosing your favorite nut butter and mix-ins like seeds, nuts, or dried fruits.
- For a vegan option, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
- If mixture feels too dry to press, warm the nut butter mixture slightly more or add a splash of milk (dairy or plant-based).
- Store bars in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and firmness.
- Pressing firmly is key to ensuring the bars hold their shape after chilling.
Keywords: no bake granola bars, homemade granola bars, healthy snack, no bake snack, easy granola bars, energy bars, oats snack