Healthy No-Bake Granola Bars | 1
Granola Bars
H E A LT H Y N O - B A K E
b y B r a n dy F e r g u s o n
t h e m a r at h o n m o m .c o m
©2014 Brandy Ferguson. All rights reserved
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Table of Contents
Granola Bars: The Perfect Snack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Recipes
Oats and Honey Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Granola Energy Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
10
Cherry Pecan Granola Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Crispy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Peanut Peanut Butter Granola Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Double Chocolate Almond Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Cranberry Walnut Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chocolate Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Cherry & Dark Chocolate Granola Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Trail Mix Granola Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
H
Granola Bars
The Perfect Snack
ealthy homemade granola bars are a favorite snack around our house. And with a large
family as busy as we are, it is so helpful to have these easy snacks prepared ahead of time for
on-the-go. I like to make a big batch once a month, keeping out just enough for the week,
and freezing the rest.
In this simple granola bar recipe book, you will find 12 of our family’s favorite homemade,
no-bake granola bar recipes—one new recipe for each month of the year. Each bar is
different, with a focus from festive to fitness. Pick what fits your need or desire and make a
big batch, or make a couple of different kinds to keep in the fridge or freezer for a mid-day
pick-me-up.
Make Ahead and Freeze
Make a single batch, or double or quadruple, and freeze your granola bars in Ziploc bags
marked with the date. When ready to eat, simply pull out of the freezer and thaw just until
ready to serve. Some are great straight from the freezer!
Granola Bar Batches
All recipes make one dozen granola bars in an 8x8 pan. Lining the pan with parchment paper
beforehand is a tremendous help when inverting bars onto cutting board for cutting. If you
don’t have parchment paper, foil is acceptable. Depending on the recipe, you can sometimes
grease a glass pan with coconut oil, and the granola bars can be removed easily for cutting.
Storing Homemade Granola Bars
Storing granola bars in the fridge helps keep them fresh for up to a week, and also keeps
them the right consistency and firmness. They may also be stored in the freezer for several
weeks if kept in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
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Where to Find the Best Ingredients
When possible, use all-natural, wholesome ingredients like local honey, organic virgin
coconut oil, organic whole oats, natural peanut butter and almond butter, etc.
While you might be able to find all of the ingredients for making these granola bars at your
favorite grocery store, I want to recommend
Coconut Oil
Tropical Traditions, in my opinion, offers the best quality, unrefined virgin
coconut oil. Green Label is my favorite for granola bars since it is still slightly
aromatic, but not overpowering in coconut flavor. Since it is subtle, this is
the ideal coconut oil for granola bars.
Honey
The best honey for you and your family is raw, unfiltered, local honey. You can try to find a
local beekeeper to purchase your honey, which is ideal, but I have had great success buying
honey from Costco, Kroger, and Sprouts in my area. Just be sure and read the label to make
sure it is local, which can be very beneficial for seasonal allergies.
Sucanat
Sucanat is an unrefined, natural sugar, and when possible, I do
recommend using it. However, if you aren’t able to find it, turbinado
sugar, whole cane sugar, or even brown sugar can work. Sucanat can be
found at many stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and even the “natural”
section in many grocery stores. I have also ordered organic, whole cane
sugar from Tropical Traditions, and am very pleased.
Oats
I like to buy oats in bulk, simply because we use them so often, and it is more cost effective.
I have ordered from Azure Standard and Tropical Traditions, but have also bought them from
Sprouts if I need to pick some up quickly.
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Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
I have found this cereal in the natural and organic section of regular grocery stores like
Kroger, specifically the Erewhon brand. But, you may also find it in bulk bins at your local
health food store.
Vanilla Extract
While you may have a favorite organic brand of vanilla extract that you’re loyal to, it can get
quite expensive. For this reason, I learned to make my own using a very simple process that
you can read about here.
Most other ingredients can be found at your favorite grocery store; just remember to buy
organic when possible.
How to Grind Flaxseed
Flaxseed must be ground in order to be digested, and since fresh is best, you will want to
grind your flaxseed just before using. The simplest way to grind flaxseed is using a small coffee
grinder. Simply place flaxseeds into grinder, pulse several times until finely ground, and
they’re ready to use.
Substitutions for Peanut Butter
For those with peanut allergies, don’t feel like you can’t have granola bars when so many call
for peanut butter. Consider other nut butters like almond butter, or sunbutter. I recently
learned about a product called Wow Butter, a soy-based peanut butter alternative that is said
to taste just like the “real thing”.
Versatility of Granola Bar Recipes
Granola bars are one of those things that you get a feel for in the kitchen. After making a
dozen batches or so, you develop a sense of what sounds good and what works well together
in a bar. They’re easy to modify if you or someone in your family does not like coconut.
Almost always, you can simply switch out one ingredient for a similar one. Don’t like
coconut? Just add more oats. Can’t eat walnuts? Choose whatever nut works for you. It may
change the consistency a bit, but that’s okay!
Now, for the granola bar recipes!
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Oats and Honey
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
3/4 cup almonds
1. Place almonds in food processor and pulse until
coarsely chopped.
1 1/2 cups oats
3 Tablespoons ground flaxseed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup sucanat
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2. Mix oats, almonds, flaxseed, cinnamon and
vanilla in medium size bowl.
3. In small saucepan, melt honey, sucanat, and
coconut oil together. Let cool for about two
minutes.
4. Stir vanilla into honey/sucanat/coconut oil
mixture.
5. Pour over dry mixture and stir.
6. Press into parchment paper lined glass 8×8 pan.
7. Let cool, then cut into bars, then place in fridge
to harden.
8. Can be stored in fridge or at room temperature.
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Granola
Energy
Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
2 cups oats
1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
1 cup coconut flakes
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2. Place mixture into paper or foil-lined pan, then
press down.
1 cup ground flaxseed
3. Let cool in fridge, then cut into twelve even bars.
1/2 to 3/4 mini chocolate chips
4. For best results, store in fridge or freezer.
2/3 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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Trail Mix
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup coconut oil
1. In small saucepan over medium heat, mix
coconut oil, honey, and sucanat, and bring to
rolling boil for two minutes, stirring constantly.
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sucanat
2. Remove from heat, and set aside.
1 cup oats
3. Mix oats, brown rice cereal, and trail mix in
medium size bowl.
1 cup brown rice cereal
1 cup trail mix (dried bananas, dried
coconut, nuts and seeds)
1 teaspoon vanilla
4. Stir vanilla extract into coconut oil, honey,
sucanat mixture, then pour into bowl with dry
ingredients.
5. Stir until well combined.
6. Press mixture into paper or foil-line pan and let
cool.
7. Cut into twelve bars.
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Cherry Pecan
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup almond butter
1. Melt almond butter, honey, and coconut oil
is small saucepan over medium heat, stirring
constantly. Do not boil. Remove from heat when
melted.
1/4 cup local honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup oats (not quick oats)
2. Stir in oats, ground flax seed, cherries, and
pecans.
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3. Spread into parchment paper-lined 8×8 pan and
refrigerate.
4. When cooled, flip bars out onto cutting board,
remove paper, then cut into bars.
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Crispy
Chocolate Chip
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup coconut oil
1. In small saucepan over medium heat, mix coconut oil,
honey, and sucanat, and bring to rolling boil for two
minutes, stirring constantly.
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sucanat
2. Remove from heat and set aside.
2 cups oats
1 cup crispy brown rice cereal
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup chocolate chips
3. Stir oats and rice cereal together in bowl.
4. Stir vanilla extract into coconut oil, honey, sucanat
mixture, then pour into bowl with dry ingredients.
5. Grease an 8×8 glass pan with coconut oil OR line pan
with parchment paper, then pour mixture into pan.
6. Press down firmly. This step is just as important as the
mixing. Packing down the granola helps them stay
together!
7. Add chocolate chips to the top while mixture is still
warm and press firmly again. (Waiting too long to add
the chips will result in chocolate chips that “fall off ” the
top of the granola bars when eating.)
8. Place granola bars in freezer for a few minutes or let
cool on counter til set.
9. Once set, turn pan upside down on cutting board, then
cut into bars.
10.Store in fridge or at room temperature.
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Peanut
Peanut Butter
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1. In saucepan over low heat, melt peanut butter,
honey, and coconut oil, stirring frequently.
1/4 cup coconut oil
2. Remove from heat when melted.
2 cups oats
3. Mix in oats, flaxseed, and peanuts.
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
4. Spread into paper or foil-lined 8x8 pan.
1/2 cup peanuts
5. Place in fridge or freezer until cooled.
6. Invert pan over cutting board, then cut into bars.
7. Store in fridge or freezer for easy snacking.
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Double
Chocolate Almond
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup coconut oil
1. In small saucepan over low heat, melt together
the coconut oil, honey, almond butter, and cocoa
powder.
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2. Remove from heat when melted and well
combined.
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
3. Stir in flaxseed, oats, and almonds.
1 1/2 cups oats
1/4 cup chopped almonds
4. Press down into paper-lined 8x8 pan, then
sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
5. Press chips down into mixture.
6. Chill in fridge or freezer, then cut into bars.
7. These bars are best stored in fridge.
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Cranberry Walnut
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey
1. In saucepan over low heat, melt almond butter,
honey, and coconut oil, then remove from heat.
1/4 cup coconut oil
2. Stir in oats, flaxseed, cranberries, and walnuts.
1 1/2 cups oats
3. Press into paper or foil-lined 8x8 pan.
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
4. Cool in fridge or freezer, then cut into bars.
1/2 cup dried cranberries
5. Store in fridge or freezer.
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
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Chocolate Chip
Peanut Butter
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1. Melt peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil
together in a small sauce pan over low heat,
stirring constantly. It only takes a minute or two
to melt.
1/4 cup local honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup chocolate chips
2. In mixing bowl, combine all other ingredients
except for chocolate chips, and stir well.
3. Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture and stir
until well combined.
4. Let cool in bowl for several minutes.
5. Place mixture into foil-lined 8×8 pan and press
down firmly.
6. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top and press down
firmly with hands.
7. Place in fridge or freezer to set.
8. Flip the foil out onto cutting board and cut into
desired bar sizes. I like to cut a dozen rectangle
shaped bars.
9. Store in fridge for best results.
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Oatmeal Raisin
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup sucanat
1. In small saucepan over low heat, stir together
peanut butter, honey, sucanat, coconut oil, and
cinnamon. Remove from heat when melted and
thoroughly combined.
1/4 cup coconut oil
2. Stir in oats and raisins.
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 3/4 cups oats
3. Pour into paper-lined 8x8 pan, and press down
evenly.
1/2 cup raisins
4. Cool in fridge, then cut into bars.
1/4 cup honey
5. Store in fridge or freezer for quick and easy
snacks.
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Chocolate
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/2 cup peanut butter
1. In small saucepan over low heat, melt peanut
butter, honey, and coconut oil, stirring
constantly. Remove from heat.
1/4 cup local honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups oats
2 tablespoons flaxseed
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2. Stir in oats, flaxseed, coconut, and chocolate
chips.
3. Pour into paper or foil-lined 8x8 pan and cool in
fridge.
4. Once cooled, invert pan onto cutting board,
then cut into twelve even bars.
5. Store in fridge.
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Dark Chocolate
Cherry &
Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
1/4 cup coconut oil
1. In small saucepan over medium heat, mix
coconut oil, honey, and sucanat, and bring to
rolling boil for two minutes, stirring constantly.
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sucanat
2. Remove from heat and set aside.
2 cups oats
1 cup crispy brown rice cereal
1/4 cup dried cherries
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
3. Stir oats, rice cereal, and dried cherries together
in bowl.
4. Stir vanilla extract into coconut oil, honey,
sucanat mixture, then pour into bowl with dry
ingredients.
5. Grease an 8×8 glass pan with coconut oil OR
line pan with parchment paper, then pour
mixture into pan. Press down firmly.
6. Add chocolate chips to the top while mixture is
still warm and press firmly again.
7. Place granola bars in freezer for a few minutes or
let cool on counter until set.
8. Once set, turn pan upside down on cutting
board, then cut into bars.
9. Store in fridge or at room temperature.
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