DIY No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
User Reviews
4.9
DIY No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars
Description
DIY No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars blend old-fashioned oats with an assortment of nuts, seeds, and chopped dried fruit held together by a warm mixture of coconut oil (or butter), honey, kosher salt, and a selection of spices and flavors including vanilla extract, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The ingredients are heated together just enough to soften and bind them without baking, preserving the distinct textures and flavors of the nuts and seeds. Once cooled in a lined dish and pressed firmly, the bars become compact and chewy.
The gentle cooking preserves the chewiness and allows the sweet and spiced notes to meld. The use of natural sweeteners and a variety of nutty ingredients gives each bar a complex texture and taste. This method is convenient as it requires no oven and minimal active cooking time.
These granola bars can be sliced and stored for quick snacks. Their ingredients and spice profile are adaptable to taste or dietary preferences, making them a flexible homemade alternative to store-bought bars.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 cup honey or other sweetener, such as molasses, agave, etc.
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- other spices/flavors I used 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup nuts I used 1/2 cup sliced raw almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, and 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup seeds I used 1/2 cup sliced raw almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, and 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup dried fruit I used chopped dried figs. You can omit the fruit if you want, chopped
Instructions
- Melt coconut oil, honey, salt, and other spices/flavors in a medium saucepan.
- When liquid mixture melts and becomes a bit foamy, turn the heat down to low, add the oats and stir to coat.
- Add the nuts/seeds, and stir to coat.
- Finally, add the dried fruit, and fold in to the mixture.
- Continue cooking on low heat for just a couple minutes (this will soften the ingredients slightly before you cool them, allowing them to stick together better).
- Meanwhile, line a small baking dish (mine measures 6" by 8") with parchment paper or plastic wrap, leaving the sides of the paper/wrap long.
- Add the mixture to the dish; press with the back of a wooden spoon so it is evenly spread out.
- Fold the parchment paper/plastic wrap over the granola so the top is covered (get more if necessary). Press the granola aggressively, so it is as packed as you can make it. I used my grill press, but you can also use a dish or cup, or your hands. Just make sure it is well packed and evenly distributed!
- Place in refrigerator and allow to cool completely- at least two hours, but I recommend overnight.
- Remove granola from parchment paper- it should be in one big block. Cut into 6-8 bars, and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
Notes
- Nutrition info does not account for added sodium from seasoning or optional ingredients; calculate separately if needed.
- You can substitute sweeteners like molasses or agave for honey.
- Press mixture firmly into the baking dish to improve bar cohesion before cooling.
- Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and chewiness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 308 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 308kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 41.4g | 14% |
| Protein | 6.3g | 13% |
| Fat | 14.6g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 6.9g | 35% |
| Sodium | 78mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 6.2g | 25% |
| Sugar | 21.6g | 43% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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