These No Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars represent a nutritious, tasty treat that can be prepared in just 15 minutes with basic pantry items! Ideal for hectic mornings, a nutritious nibble, or your child’s lunchbox!
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For those seeking a nutritious snack that is quick to prepare, naturally sweet, and requires no baking, these No Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars are sure to become a household favorite! Perfect for busy mornings, lunchboxes, as a post-exercise snack, or a wholesome afternoon treat, this recipe can be assembled in merely 15 minutes with basic pantry ingredients. No baking required, no tricky steps, just chewy, nutty, and slightly sweet bars that taste rich while still being healthful.
Reasons You’ll Adore These
- Nutritious – crafted with hearty rolled oats, these bars are naturally sweetened without any refined sugar, making them far superior to store-bought varieties!
- No baking needed – these healthy granola bars come together in just 15 minutes without the need for baking, making them the ideal snack for busy lifestyles.
- Flexible – personalize these homemade granola bars by adding a variety of your favorite mix-ins or replacing the almond butter with peanut butter!
- Children will adore them – these bars are enjoyable to prepare with kids, made from wholesome ingredients, so you can confidently include them in their lunchboxes.
Ingredients Required
- rolled oats – nutritious whole grain old-fashioned oats (I utilized gluten-free oats) lend these bars a delightful chewiness! Quick-cooking oats could also be used, but will lack the same great texture.
- puffed rice cereal – I used puffed brown rice cereal without added sugar (not Rice Krispies) which contributes a delightful crunch to these bars.
- almond butter – rich, creamy, and filled with healthy fats and protein. Feel free to substitute with peanut butter or another nut butter as preferred.
- coconut oil – aids in binding these bars together alongside the honey.
- honey – necessary for naturally sweetening the bars and assisting in binding, though you can use maple syrup or another natural sweetener if desired.
- vanilla extract – adds a flavor enhancement.
- mini chocolate chips – you may also opt for chopped chocolate or other mix-ins such as chopped almonds, shredded coconut, chia seeds, or dried fruit.
- sea salt – to amplify these flavors!
Creating Almond Butter Granola Bars
- Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mix together rolled oats and puffed rice cereal. Set aside.
- Heat wet ingredients. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk the almond butter, honey, and coconut oil until boiling. Lower heat to medium-low, whisk constantly, and allow to simmer for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mix the oat blend. Pour the mixture over the dry oats and fold to ensure everything is uniformly coated. Stir in one tablespoon of chocolate chips and transfer to a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- Press into the pan. Firmly press the granola mixture into the prepared dish. I utilized additional parchment paper to press down, avoiding sticking to my fingers. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on top, lightly pressing them in, and finish with a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Chill. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. Once the bars are set and firm, use the parchment paper to lift them out of the dish and cut into 18 bars.
Tips for Crafting the Ultimate Granola Bars
- Select the right nut butter – almond butter serves as both the flavor base and the adhesive for these bars, so be sure to pick a creamy, well-mixed almond butter (or other nut butter) for the best consistency.
- Accurate oat measurement – too many oats can lead to dry, crumbly bars, while too few can make them too soft. Spoon the oats into the measuring cup and level off rather than packing them down.
- Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes – this step is essential for helping the bars stick together. Continuously whisk to prevent the nut butter from burning.
- Press firmly into the dish – this is a crucial step to ensure the bars set correctly and hold together. I like to use a piece of parchment paper to evenly press down and keep the mixture from sticking to my hands.
- Don’t skip the salt – adding a bit of sea salt at the end is vital! It enhances sweetness, balances flavors, and prevents the bars from tasting bland.
- Refrigerate long enough to set – allow these bars to chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge to properly firm up, but feel free to let them chill longer. Cutting them too early may cause them to crumble.
Variations and Alternatives
- Make them nut-free – simply substitute the almond butter with a seed-based option like sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter.
- Make them dairy-free – ensure you use dairy-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs during mixing.
- Make them vegan – replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar, and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Flavor variations – change the taste by incorporating cinnamon, shredded coconut, cocoa powder, pumpkin spice, or dried fruit.
- For chewier bars – if you prefer your bars chewier, consider adding more almond butter, honey, or brown sugar.
- For crunchier bars – for extra crunch, include chopped nuts or sunflower seeds.
- For thicker bars – these bars are thinner as I aimed to recreate classic Chewy granola bars, but for thicker bars that are less likely to crumble, use a 9×9-inch square pan and cut about 12 bars.
- Increase protein – you can also mix in 2 to 3 tablespoons of your preferred protein powder or some flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds for an added protein boost.
Preparation and Storage
- To Store: These chewy almond butter granola bars can be kept in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. I like to place parchment paper between layers when stacking to prevent sticking.
- To Freeze: These bars can be frozen for up to 3 months, making them ideal for meal prep! Individually thaw bars whenever you crave something sweet.
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Enjoy these Almond Butter Granola Bars! If you adore this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your tasty creations!
In a large bowl, mix rolled oats and puffed rice cereal; set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, blend almond butter, coconut oil and honey until boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low, whisking constantly, and let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Pour the mixture over the dry oat blend and mix so everything is completely coated. Stir in one tablespoon of chocolate chips and transfer to a prepared 9×13-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper.
Firmly press the granola mixture into the baking dish (using extra parchment paper helps to avoid sticking to your fingers) and top with remaining chocolate chips along with a sprinkle of sea salt. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
Take out from the fridge and lift the granola slab using the parchment paper for easy removal. Cut into 18 bars and store at room temperature individually wrapped in plastic or freeze for later use.
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.2g | Protein: 2.8g | Fat: 10.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.7g | Sodium: 86.8mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 9.8g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**No Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars Recipe**
Granola bars serve as a practical and healthy snack, excellent for a quick energy boost or a nutritious treat while on the go. Making granola bars at home gives you control over the ingredients and allows for customization to your preference. This no-bake almond butter granola bar recipe is straightforward, flavorful, and requires minimal work.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup almond butter
– 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups rolled oats
– 1/2 cup chopped almonds
– 1/4 cup chia seeds or flaxseeds
– 1/2 cup dried fruit (like cranberries, raisins, or apricots)
– 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
– A pinch of salt
**Instructions:**
1. **Create the Wet Blend:**
– In a medium saucepan over low heat, mix almond butter and honey (or maple syrup). Stir continuously until completely smooth. Remove from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract.
2. **Combine the Dry Elements:**
– In a large mixing bowl, mix rolled oats, chopped almonds, chia seeds (or flaxseeds), dried fruit, and salt. Include chocolate chips if desired.
3. **Combine Wet and Dry Components:**
– Pour the almond butter blend over the dry mixture. Use a spatula to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are sticky and coated.
4. **Form the Bars:**
– Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal. Transfer the granola blend into the dish and press it down firmly to create an even layer.
5. **Chill and Firm Up:**
– Place the dish in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours, or until firm. This step is crucial for ensuring the bars hold their shape.
6. **Cut and Serve:**
– Once set, use the parchment paper to lift the granola slab out of the dish, cut it on a cutting board into bars of your desired size.
7. **Storage:**
– Keep the granola bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For extended storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.
**Customization Suggestions:**
– **Nut Butter Alternatives:** Substitute almond butter with peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for varied flavors.
– **Mix-ins:** Feel free to play around with various nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to match your taste.
– **Adjust Sweetness:** Modify the quantity of honey or maple syrup to tailor the bars to your desired sweetness level.
These no-bake almond butter granola bars are simple to make and a nutritious choice brimming with goodness. Enjoy them as a quick breakfast, snack during the day, or a treat after workouts!
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