Say hello to the ultimate snack you’ll crave again and again—No Bake Granola Bars! These bars take just a few minutes to prep and require zero oven time. Loaded with satisfying oats, crunchy nuts, creamy nut butter, and a thick layer of decadent chocolate, they’re a perfect balance of wholesome and indulgent. Trust me, after one bite, you’ll want to keep a batch on hand at all times.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: You don’t need to turn on the oven—a total win for busy days or summer snacking!
- Seriously Satisfying Texture: The combo of chewy oats, crispy nuts, and silky ganache makes each bite a treat for your tastebuds.
- Easy to Customize: You can tailor these bars with your favorite nuts, seeds, or nut butters to truly make them your own.
- Meal Prep Marvel: They keep beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so they’re always ready when hunger strikes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these No Bake Granola Bars is in their simplicity. Each ingredient serves a key purpose, coming together for ultimate flavor, texture, and that swoon-worthy chocolate finish.
- Rolled Oats: The classic base—choose old-fashioned for the best chew and sturdiness in your bars.
- Mixed Nuts & Seeds: Pecans, cashews, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds offer crunch, flavor, and healthy fats. Feel free to use any combo you love!
- Almond Butter: Adds creamy richness and helps bind everything together. Substitute any nut or seed butter you prefer.
- Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens the bars and brings a bit of stickiness for structure.
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: Amplifies texture and a subtle tropical note.
- Melted Coconut Oil: Binds the mixture and sets up the bars once chilled.
- Cinnamon: Adds cozy warmth and an irresistible fragrant lift.
- Flakey Salt: Just a sprinkle delivers that gourmet finish and balances the sweetness.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Melts into the silkiest ganache for a luxurious topping layer.
- Full-Fat Canned Coconut Milk (Creamy Part): When combined with chocolate, it creates an ultra-rich, glossy ganache topping.
Variations
One of the best things about No Bake Granola Bars is just how easily you can mix things up. Don’t be afraid to swap, substitute, or experiment based on your pantry staples or personal cravings—the possibilities are endless!
- Nut-Free: Try sunflower seed butter and an all-seed mix for a completely nut-free version that’s still packed with crunch.
- Fruit-Studded: Toss in some dried cranberries, cherries, or chopped apricots for little pop of natural sweetness and color.
- Superfood Power-Up: Add chia seeds, hemp hearts, or ground flax for an extra nutrient boost that won’t compromise flavor.
- Chocolate Lovers: Sprinkle in mini chocolate chips or swirl a little extra ganache into the oat base for double chocolate indulgence.
How to Make No Bake Granola Bars
Step 1: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and almond butter. Whisk vigorously until your mixture is glossy and smooth—this helps the bars hold together and ensures every bite is perfectly flavored.
Step 2: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Add the rolled oats, shredded coconut, chopped nuts and seeds, and ground cinnamon straight into the wet mixture. Using a sturdy spatula, fold everything together until the oats and nuts are evenly coated and there are no dry patches.
Step 3: Press and Chill
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper (leave some overhang for easy removal), then scoop in your mixture. Press it firmly into an even layer using the back of a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup. Set aside while you whip up the chocolate topping.
Step 4: Make the Chocolate Ganache
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine dark chocolate chips and the creamy coconut milk. Heat in 30-second bursts until the milk is hot and the chocolate starts to melt, about 1½ minutes total. Whisk until completely smooth and glossy.
Step 5: Assemble and Chill Again
Pour the freshly-made ganache over your pressed oat mixture, spreading it evenly from edge to edge. Finish with a generous sprinkle of flakey salt to make the flavors pop. Freeze the bars for 1 hour, then slice into 12 even bars and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making No Bake Granola Bars
- Ultra-Firm Press: Take the time to really press down the mixture in the pan—this is what gives you sturdy, sliceable bars that never crumble.
- Ganache Gloss: Don’t overheat the coconut milk—gentle warming keeps the ganache ultra-creamy and prevents it from seizing or splitting.
- Parchment Paper Trick: Leave a generous overhang of parchment for super-easy removal and stress-free slicing every single time.
- Customize for Crunch: Use a mix of nuts and seeds with different textures—think pecans for tenderness, pumpkin seeds for a pop—for every bite to feel exciting.
How to Serve No Bake Granola Bars
Garnishes
I love a final flourish of flakey salt on top—trust me, it highlights the chocolate and wakes up all the flavors. You can also dip a corner in extra melted chocolate or scatter crushed nuts or toasted coconut for that “wow” effect.
Side Dishes
No Bake Granola Bars pair beautifully with a bowl of yogurt and fresh berries for breakfast, or alongside a smoothie for a more filling snack. For a lunchbox treat, toss a bar in with some apple slices or crunchy veggie sticks.
Creative Ways to Present
Try wrapping individual bars in parchment and tying them with twine for an adorable on-the-go snack. Or, slice into little squares and stick toothpicks in them for a playful “bite-sized bites” platter at brunch or parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
For maximum freshness, store your No Bake Granola Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to two weeks without losing their chewy texture or rich flavor.
Freezing
Want to make a big batch? These granola bars are freezer-friendly! Separate the layers with parchment and freeze for up to 3 months. Just let them sit at room temp for a few minutes before enjoying.
Reheating
No Bake Granola Bars don’t require reheating to enjoy, but if they’re coming straight from the freezer, let them rest at room temp for 10-15 minutes to soften the ganache and oat base to the ideal chewy texture.
FAQs
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Can I make No Bake Granola Bars completely nut-free?
Absolutely! Swap out the mixed nuts for an assortment of seeds (like sunflower, pumpkin, and chia), and use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of almond butter. They’ll be just as chewy and delicious, with a lovely earthy flavor.
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Do I have to use coconut oil in this recipe?
Coconut oil is ideal for helping the bars set when chilled, but if you’d like to avoid coconut, you can use melted unsalted butter or even avocado oil (though the flavor will be more neutral).
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Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?
Rolled oats are best for structure and a satisfying bite, but in a pinch, quick oats will work. Avoid steel-cut oats, which are too hard and won’t soften enough without baking.
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Why aren’t my bars holding together well?
Be sure the mixture is packed down firmly in the pan, and allow enough chilling time for the coconut oil and nut butter to firm up. If your mix seems dry, add another spoonful of nut butter or a drizzle of maple syrup before pressing into the pan.
Final Thoughts
Next time you want a snack that’s as nourishing as it is chocolatey and crave-worthy, whip up a batch of these No Bake Granola Bars. I can’t wait for you to try them—the hardest part is keeping them from disappearing too quickly!
Print
No Bake Granola Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These No-Bake Granola Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack that is easy to make and perfect for when you’re on the go. Packed with oats, nuts, seeds, and a decadent chocolate topping, these bars are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups mixed nuts and seeds of choice, roughly chopped (e.g., pecans, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond butter or nut butter of choice
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Flakey salt, to taste
Chocolate Topping:
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (creamy part)
Instructions
- Prepare the Granola Bar Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine coconut oil, maple syrup, and almond butter. Whisk until smooth. Add oats, shredded coconut, nuts, seeds, and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Assemble the Bars: Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Press the mixture into the dish.
- Make the Chocolate Topping: Heat coconut milk and chocolate chips in the microwave until hot. Whisk until smooth. Pour over the bars.
- Chill and Serve: Sprinkle flakey salt over the chocolate. Chill the bars in the freezer for an hour. Slice into 12 bars. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: Approx. 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
