Easy No-Bake Granola Bars
There is something so simply wonderful about granola bars. I’ve had a love affair with them for some time now. Maybe my affair with the nutrient filled bars started way back in my childhood, where they were a staple in every lunch box. But no matter how old I get, I always find myself craving a chewy and delicious oat filled granola bar. Nowadays, I steer clear of store bought, processed, and high fructose corn syrup snacks and stick with the homemade versions instead. There is no need to ever buy store-bought granola bars again!
Of all the recipes out there, I have to say that this one takes the cake. This recipe is extremely easy and very kid friendly. Simply mix all the ingredients up, flatten in a pan, chill in the fridge, and they are good to go! This recipe is also versatile. You can use any nut butter to replace the peanut butter that I used and any dried fruit instead of cranberries. There is no butter or scoops of added sugar, so it’s healthy, vegan, and raw. And it only requires a whopping 7 ingredients!
1 3/4 cup oats (rolled or quick cooking)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit of choice)
1/2 cup sliced raw almonds
1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter at room temperature*
*I used a brand new jar of natural peanut butter that had some oil on top that got measured into the mix, which is a good thing! If your PB is a bit dry and sticky, you may want to add 1/2 tablespoon or so of oil.
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Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix well until the oats are completely covered and saturated by the peanut butter and honey. Pour mixture into a dish. The size of the pan will alter how thick the bars will be. If using a 9×13 cake pan, double the recipe. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or until the bars are firm enough to slice. Slice into squares and enjoy! Or wrap individual bars up for on-the-go use.
Hi Stephanie, just found your site through some friends! Exciting that you’ll be moving to Malaysia! I’ve lived in Africa and Europe and do a cooking blog as well. I try to focus on recipes you can make [almost] anywhere. Even living in Italy we can’t buy peanut butter, chocolate chips, sour cream, etc., etc. so I often give several substitutes in my recipes. Hope you’ll stop by my site and find some recipes you can easily make in Malaysia! http://www.CiaofromDebbie.com
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I am very excited to check out your blog! It’s going to be very helpful. We are currently house/apartment hunting and I can’t wait to settle in and start cooking
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