When it comes to easy, grab-and-go or lunchbox snacks, granola bars are a classic favorite.
But if you’ve ever taken a close look at the ingredient list on store-bought bars, you might notice they're often packed with preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and unnecessary fillers. That's why homemade granola bars are a game-changer—not only are they simple to make, but they’re also far healthier and customizable to your liking.
Hero Ingredients
In this no-bake granola bar recipe, we’ll use rolled oats for that perfect chewy base and gut-friendly fiber. We also add some puffed rice for a satisfying crunch, and chia seeds to act as a natural binder and to boost your bars with omega-3s.
Grapeseed oil and maple syrup ensure everything sticks together with a touch of sweetness, while dried strawberries, walnuts, and chocolate chips add more sweetness, texture, and substance.
Customize To Your Taste
The beauty of this recipe is that you can tailor it to your preferences.
Want a tropical twist? Use coconut flakes and banana chips or dried pineapple for a Caribbean-inspired flavor. Prefer something a little spicy? Experiment with dried mango, a dash of chili powder, and perhaps a sprinkle of sea salt. Or how about some dried apricot with a hint of cinnamon for a comforting, earthy snack.
Homemade vs. Store-bought
Making your own granola bars at home means you control every ingredient, ensuring a cleaner, more nutrient-dense snack. Say goodbye to hidden sugars, excessive oils, and artificial additives, and enjoy the freedom to create the perfect bar that fits your lifestyle and taste buds!
READ MORE:
14 on-the-go healthy snacks to keep your energy running high
NO-BAKE GRANOLA BARS RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil (or any other oil)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups regular-rolled oats
- 2 cups puffed rice
- 2 cups of diced and chopped toppings/fillings. For this recipe, we are using dried strawberries, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
DIRECTIONS
- You want to make your chia binder first. In a small bowl, add the chia seeds to water and let it sit and swell for a few minutes.
- Add the oil and maple syrup to a stovetop pot big enough for all the ingredients and let it melt together.
- Add diced strawberries and walnuts to the pot and stir everything through.
- Add the chia seed binder mix and mix well.
- Remove the pot from the stove and add the oats and puffed rice and mix everything well.
- Lastly, add the chocolate chips and mix it in.
- Line a 9x13 baking dish (or a size that will accommodate your preferred bar thickness) with parchment paper.
- Add the granola mix to the dish and flatten it out to your preferred thickness, compressing it as much as possible to make the bars stay together.
- Store in the fridge for at least an hour, but preferable overnight and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use maple syrup, honey, or brown rice as a sweetener and binder. Brown rice syrup works great for more savory-flavored bars as it is not so sweet.
- If you use only oats and omit the puffed rice, increase the oats to 3 cups.
- Use about a total of 2 cups of your choice of toppings or fillings with this oats and puffed rice ratio.
- Since these bars are homemade, they sometimes are not as compact as store-bought versions, so experiment with different sizes you cut them in.
