Super Healthy Nut & Fruit Granola Bars Recipe
Introduction
These Super Healthy Nut & Fruit Granola Bars are a delicious and nourishing snack, perfect for an energy boost anytime. Packed with wholesome oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, they offer a satisfying crunch and natural sweetness with a drizzled chocolate topping.
Ingredients
- ½ cup honey (or agave nectar/maple syrup if freezing)
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- ¾ cup crispy rice or puffed quinoa cereal
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup dried cherries (or dried cranberries, blueberries, apricot)
- ½ cup nuts (such as almonds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil (for thinning chocolate, if needed)
- Optional: sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on two sides as handles. Spray the parchment paper lightly with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan over medium heat, gently warm the honey, peanut butter, and coconut oil, stirring until smooth and combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, mix together rolled oats, crispy rice, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, cinnamon, salt, raisins, dried cherries, and nuts.
- Step 4: Pour the honey-peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Step 5: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer.
- Step 6: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 1½ minutes, stirring midway. If the chocolate is too thick, add coconut oil to thin it. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the pressed granola mixture, using a pastry bag or spoon to create a zig-zag pattern.
- Step 7: Refrigerate the pan for at least 2 hours or overnight until firm.
- Step 8: Once chilled, lift the granola slab from the pan using the parchment handles and slice into bars with a sharp knife.
- Step 9: Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Tips & Variations
- Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey if freezing the bars to keep texture smooth.
- Swap almonds, pumpkin seeds, and pistachios for your favorite nuts or seeds.
- Try different dried fruits like apricots or blueberries for varied flavor.
- For a nut-free version, replace nut butter with sunflower seed butter and omit nuts.
- If you prefer softer bars, press the mixture less firmly before chilling.
Storage
Store granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw frozen bars at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, simply use certified gluten-free rolled oats and ensure your crispy rice or puffed cereal is gluten-free as well.
How do I keep the bars from falling apart?
Make sure to press the granola mixture firmly into the pan and allow the bars to chill fully before slicing to help them hold together.
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Super Healthy Nut & Fruit Granola Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Super Healthy Nut & Fruit Granola Bars are a delicious and nutritious homemade snack packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Sweetened naturally with honey and peanut butter, topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate, these bars are perfect for an energizing breakfast or a satisfying on-the-go treat. They are easy to prepare without baking and can be customized to suit gluten-free diets by using gluten-free oats.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup honey (or agave nectar/maple syrup if freezing)
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats (or gluten-free oats)
- ¾ cup crispy rice cereal (or puffed quinoa cereal)
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup dried cherries (or dried cranberries, blueberries, apricot)
- ½ cup mixed nuts (almonds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios)
Topping
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil (for thinning chocolate if needed)
- Optional sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on two sides to use as handles. Spray the parchment paper lightly with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, peanut butter, and 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Stir constantly until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, crispy rice cereal, ground flaxseed meal, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, salt, raisins, dried cherries, and mixed nuts. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the cooled peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until every ingredient is fully coated and evenly distributed with the honey-peanut butter mixture.
- Press into pan: Transfer the granola mixture into the prepared pan. Using a spatula or your hands (lightly wet for less sticking), press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to form a compact layer.
- Prepare chocolate topping: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 1½ minutes, stirring halfway through. If necessary, add ½ teaspoon coconut oil to thin the chocolate for easier drizzling.
- Drizzle chocolate: Place the melted chocolate in a pastry bag or use a spoon to drizzle it in a zigzag pattern over the granola mixture. Optionally sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top to enhance flavor.
- Chill bars: Refrigerate the pan for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight, allowing the bars to fully set and firm up.
- Slice and store: Once chilled, use the parchment overhang to lift the granola slab from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into bars with a very sharp knife.
- Store properly: Place the granola bars in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer to keep fresh and firm until ready to eat.
Notes
- You can substitute almond butter for peanut butter and maple syrup or agave nectar for honey if freezing.
- Use gluten-free oats and cereals to make this recipe gluten-free.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup and ensure chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- Press the granola mixture firmly into the pan to help bars hold together after chilling.
- If bars are too hard after chilling, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
- Optional sea salt on top pairs nicely with the sweetness of chocolate and dried fruit.
- Store bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh and maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: granola bars, healthy snacks, no-bake bars, nut bars, fruit bars, gluten-free snacks, homemade granola
