Healthy Brownie Granola Bars
User Reviews
4.9
Healthy Brownie Granola Bars
Description
Healthy Brownie Granola Bars bring together simple ingredients like rolled oats, nuts, dates, cocoa powder, and almond butter to create a chewy and chocolatey snack bar. The dates are soaked briefly to soften and then processed with walnuts and cocoa powder into a sticky dough. Toasted oats and roughly chopped nuts are folded in to add texture and a gentle crunch, while warm agave nectar and almond butter are stirred in to make the mixture cohesive and flavorful.
The bars have a natural sweetness from the dates and agave, complemented by the bitterness of cocoa powder and the nuttiness of walnuts, almonds, and pecans. Toasting the oats and nuts before mixing enhances their flavor, but can be skipped if preferred. The mixture can be pressed into a pan and chilled or baked briefly to set.
These bars serve well as a filling snack to carry on busy days or a quick energy boost for outdoor activities. They are free from refined sugars and can be adapted for gluten-free diets by choosing gluten-free oats. Their dense texture makes them easy to portion and pack for on-the-go eating.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (GF for gluten-free eaters)
- 1 cup nuts roughly chopped // I used half almonds, half pecans, raw
- 1 cup walnut raw
- 2 cups dates soaked for 10 minutes in warm water then drained, pitted
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 1/4 cup agave nectar or honey if not vegan, or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter, natural salted
Instructions
- Optional step: Toast your oats and pecans in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw – I prefer the toasted flavor.
- Process walnuts in a food processor until a loose meal is reached. Remove from bowl and set aside.
- Add dates and process until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a “dough” like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball).
- Add walnut meal and cocoa or cacao powder back in with the dates and process to combine.
- Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the (toasted) oats and nuts and stir to combine. You may have to use your hands to really incorporate the mixture well.
- Next, warm agave or maple syrup (or honey) and almond butter in a small saucepan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until combined and pourable. Pour over brownie mixture and then thoroughly stir using a wooden spoon. (I opted to put plastic bags on my hands and mix that way to better incorporate the mixture.)
- Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to a 9×13 dish (or similar size pan // adjust if altering batch size) lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily.
- If using a 9x13, ONLY USE 3/4 of the pan so they have the proper thickness. Otherwise they’ll be too thin. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and press down firmly to even out the top. Freeze for 15-20 minutes to harden.
- Lift bars from pan and chop into 12 even bars (or more if you prefer). Store in an airtight container in the freezer or fridge to keep them extra fresh. They will get a little sticky when left out at room temp.
Notes
- To enhance flavor, optionally toast oats and nuts until golden before mixing.
- Soak dates in warm water for 10 minutes before processing to soften.
- Mix thoroughly by hand or with gloves to ensure even coating with the syrup and nut butter.
- Bars can be pressed into a pan and chilled to set or baked briefly if preferred.
- Nutrition information is estimated and may vary depending on exact ingredients used.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12(bars)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 352 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bar | |
| Calories | 352 | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 8.2g | 16% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.2g | 11% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 3mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 7.4g | 30% |
| Sugar | 25g | 50% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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