Homemade No-Bake Granola Bars Recipe

Introduction

These homemade no bake granola bars are a quick and healthy snack perfect for busy days. With simple ingredients and no oven required, they offer a chewy, satisfying bite loaded with oats and your favorite mix-ins.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter)
• 1/3 cup honey (maple syrup or agave)
• 1/2 cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, or nuts)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the sides for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the oats and your choice of mix-ins.
3. Step 3: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the nut butter and honey together, stirring until smooth. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, stirring well.
4. Step 4: Pour the melted mixture over the oats and stir thoroughly, making sure all oats are coated.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon or spatula.
6. Step 6: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until the bars are firm enough to cut.
7. Step 7: Lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into 10-12 pieces. Serve immediately or store for later.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegan alternative, use maple syrup or agave instead of honey and ensure your nut butter contains no dairy.
• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra flavor.
• Swap mix-ins seasonally to keep these bars exciting—pumpkin seeds in fall or dried cranberries in winter.

Storage

Store the granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. To enjoy, let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating, or thaw frozen bars overnight in the fridge.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Quick oats tend to be finer and may result in a softer, less chewy texture. Rolled oats are best for sturdy bars, but quick oats can work if pressed firmly.

Do these bars require refrigeration?

Yes, chilling helps the bars set firmly since they contain no baking or added preservatives. Keep them refrigerated or frozen to maintain their shape and freshness.

Homemade No-Bake Granola Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.7 from 71 reviews

These Homemade No Bake Granola Bars are a quick, healthy, and customizable snack made with rolled oats, nut butter, honey, and your choice of mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts. Perfect for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or energizing snack without the need for baking.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 bars 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, or nuts)
• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter)
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup, or agave)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure to leave extra parchment hanging over the sides. This will help you lift the bars out easily once set.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and your chosen mix-ins such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, or nuts. Stir to distribute evenly.
3. Heat Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, gently melt together the nut butter and honey (or your chosen liquid sweetener) while stirring until smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt if using.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the melted nut butter and honey mixture over the oat mixture. Stir well to ensure all oats and mix-ins are evenly coated and combined.
5. Press into the Pan: Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to firmly press the mixture down, packing it tightly and evenly for well-formed bars.
6. Chill: Place the pan in the refrigerator and allow the mixture to chill for at least 2 hours. This step is crucial for the bars to firm up enough to cut.
7. Slice and Serve: Once the bars are set and firm, lift the entire block out of the pan using the parchment paper edges. Cut into 10-12 bars and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for later snacking.

Notes

• You can customize the mix-ins based on preference: try nuts for crunch, dried fruit for sweetness, or seeds for extra nutrition.
• For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Press the mixture firmly into the pan to ensure bars hold together well.
• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• For a firmer texture, consider chilling overnight.

Keywords: no bake granola bars, healthy snacks, granola bars, easy granola bars, homemade snacks, no bake snack, oat bars, nut butter bars