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