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Home | Recipes | No-Bake Granola Bars

No-Bake Granola Bars

Published on June 6, 2024 by Stephanie Kay

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Made with rolled oats, nuts, and seeds, and naturally sweetened with honey, these no-bake granola bars are the perfect healthy snack that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Stack of homemade no-bake granola bars on a plate.

Granola bars are a go-to snack for adults and kids alike and are perfect for everything from school lunches to road trips and on-the-go breakfasts. Unfortunately, many store-bought bars are filled with excessive refined sugars, additives, and preservatives, making them a less-than-healthy choice. Fortunately, making homemade granola bars with wholesome ingredients is super simple, especially when they involve no baking at all.

The combination of old-fashioned oats, dried fruit, peanut butter, and honey in this no-bake granola bar recipe ensures that they are full of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and natural sugars without skimping on flavor. These bars are such a delicious, quick, and easy recipe that I’m willing to bet they will become one of your go-to healthy homemade snacks.

Close up of a stack of no-bake granola bars with raisins and seeds.

Why You’ll Love Them

  • No Bake – The homemade granola bars do not require any cooking or baking at all.
  • Quick and Easy – With only 10 minutes of prep time, these bars are ready in a matter of minutes.
  • High in Fiber – Not only are these bars naturally sweetened with honey, but they contain 4 grams of fiber per bar.
  • Kid-Friendly – The sticky and chewy texture of these bars ensures they are a family-friendly snack. Plus, the recipe can be easily adapted to ensure they are a school-safe snack.
Ingredients for no-bake granola bars: rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, raisins, cinnamon, salt, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract.

Ingredients + Substitutions

  • Oats – The recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats, as I think they provide the best texture, but you can use quick-cooking oats if desired, however, steel-cut oats and instant oats are not recommended.
  • Pumpkin Seeds – The add some healthy fats and some crunch. You can swap them for sunflower seeds or nuts, such as chopped walnuts or almonds, if preferred.
  • Raisins – To add some fruit and a chewy texture to the bars. I used Thompson raisins, but you can swap them for other dried fruits such as golden raisins, currants, sultanas, dried cherries, dried cranberries, chopped dates, or chopped dried apricots if desired.
  • Coconut – The recipe calls for shredded coconut, but coconut flakes will also work. If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can swap it for additional old-fashioned oats, nuts, or seeds.
  • Honey – To add some sweetness and bind the bars. You can swap it for maple syrup or agave if desired.
  • Peanut Butter – To add some healthy fats and bind the bars, I used creamy peanut butter, but crunchy almond butter will also work. You can swap it for almond butter or another nut butter if desired.
  • Vanilla – To add flavor and fragrance.
  • Cinnamon – To add flavor, although it’s optional.
  • Salt – To balance the sweet and salty flavor of the bars.

Dietary Adaptions

How to Make them Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats, puffed rice, or Rice Krispies.

How to Make them Nut-Free: Swap the peanut butter for sunflower butter or tahini.

Peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract in a large measuring jar.
Peanut butter mixture in a large measuring jar with a spoon.

How to Make No-Bake Granola Bars

  1. Mix the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract, and stir to combine.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, add the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, raisins, cinnamon, and salt, and stir to combine.
  3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Pour the peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the oat mixture and, using a rubber spatula, stir until the mixture is well combined.
  4. Transfer the oat mixture to a baking pan. Transfer the granola bar mixture to a baking pan lined with long strips of parchment paper, spread it out evenly, and press into down into the pan.
  5. Refrigerate the bars. Transfer the baking pan to the fridge and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  6. Slice and enjoy! Remove the bar mixture from the pan by pulling the parchment paper, transfer to a cutting board, and then slice into evenly sized granola bars.

You can find the detailed instructions in the recipe card below.

Rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, raisins, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and salt in a large white mixing bowl.
Oat mixture with peanut butter mixture on top in a large white mixing bowl.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

These bars contain 15 grams of sugar per bar, however, it’s important to understand this sugar is coming from natural sources. The shredded coconut, raisins, and honey are all sources of natural sugar, which contains beneficial micronutrients. Moreover, the fiber content of these bars helps to balance the sugar content.

Granola bar mixture in a baking pan with parchment paper.
No bake granola bar mixture pressed into a baking pan with parchment paper.

Additional Mix-Ins

The best thing about these no-bake granola bars is that they are super adaptable, and you can mix and match the mix-ins based on what you like or have in your pantry. In addition to pumpkin seeds, raisins, and shredded coconut, you could use:

  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Chia Seeds
  • Flax Seeds
  • Crushed Peanuts
  • Sliced Almonds
  • Yogurt Covered Raisins
  • Dates
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Mini Chocolate Chips
  • Crispy Rice Cereal
Sliced no bake homemade granola bars on a cutting board.

Storage

To Refrigerate: Place the bars in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

To Freeze: Wrap each bar in plastic wrap and then transfer the wrapped bars to a plastic bag or freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

More Bars Recipes:

  • Peanut Butter Protein Bars
  • Chocolate Puffed Rice Bars
  • Almond Butter Rice Crispy Bars
Print
Stack of homemade no-bake granola bars on a plate.

No-Bake Granola Bars

Author: Stephanie Kay

With only 10 minutes of prep time, these no-bake granola bars are super quick and easy to make. Plus, they are full of flavor, fiber, and healthy fats making them tasty and healthy snacks.

  • Author: Stephanie Kay
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 bars
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with two strips of crisscrossed parchment paper, to help to easily remove the bars.
  2. Add 1/2 cup of the rolled oats to a small food processor or blender and blitz for 10-20 seconds until finely chopped. Note: This step is optional, however, it provides a better texture to the bars.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add the oats, pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, raisins, cinnamon, and salt, and stir well to combine.
  4. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract and whisk until well combined, then transfer to the microwave for 15 seconds.
  5. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and, using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir until well combined and the mixture begins to stick together when pressed.
  6. Once mixed, transfer the oat mixture to a parchment-lined baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Using something flat (such as the bottom of a drinking glass) press down on the oat mixture to pack it into the baking pan. The tighter and more evenly you can pack it down, the easier the bars will be to slice.
  7. Once pressed, transfer the baking pan to the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the bars to firm up.
  8. Once refrigerated, remove the bars from the pan, pulling on the tabs of parchment paper to not break the mixture, and place it on a cutting board. Using a large sharp knife slice into 8 large bars, 12 medium bars, or 16 small bars.
  9. The bars can be eaten immediately, stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks, or wrapped individually in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.

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    Comments

    1. Jeannie Roper says

      November 15, 2020 at 9:31 pm

      This is one my favourite snacks to take with me either when I’m cycling or cross country skiing. Note that I do mix up the chopped dates with the nut butter and honey and heat in on the stove so it all dissolves together and I usually add about 1/4 cup of hot water to it as well before mixing it into the dry ingredients – this seems to make everything stick together more easily.

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        November 16, 2020 at 8:36 am

        Great tips, thanks Jeannie!

        Reply
        • Juliette says

          February 13, 2021 at 9:48 pm

          I make these often as a snack to take with me for golf or snowshoeing.

          Reply
    2. Juliette says

      February 13, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      Make these often. They are excellent and easy to make.

      Reply
    3. Erin McLean says

      August 17, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      These are amazing! I’ve been trying to get my husband to give up his beloved store bought granola bar and these have done the trick! They are so easy to make, they taste delicious and they have quickly become a weekday favourite in our house!
      If you haven’t made them yet, don’t wait any longer!

      Reply
    4. Juliette says

      January 2, 2024 at 3:35 pm

      These are my go to favourite. My son asks me to make him double batches as well.

      Reply
    5. Wilma van Biljon says

      June 16, 2024 at 2:49 pm

      These no-bake granola bars are super yummy, and so easy to make from food cupboard staples.

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        June 17, 2024 at 8:01 am

        Thank you so much for sharing, Wilma!

        Reply
    6. David Telford says

      July 16, 2024 at 3:12 pm

      Quite sweet and best eaten from the fridge when it retains its form. Nice snack that I will make again

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        July 18, 2024 at 6:07 am

        Thank you for sharing, David!

        Reply
    7. Fred G says

      July 16, 2024 at 3:17 pm

      No need to purchase granola bars – so simple to make and you can play with the recipe subject to what is at home. Great snack and use with walking/hiking.

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        July 18, 2024 at 6:05 am

        I’m so happy to hear that, Fred, thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      July 16, 2024 at 3:39 pm

      Easy to make and delicious 😋

      Reply
    9. Rita says

      July 16, 2024 at 4:27 pm

      Hi Red
      Gave these tasty little granola bars a try. What treat they were, we had four adults and 6 young ones at the beach and took these and some finger sandwiches with us. Took home empty containers. We haw
      Definitely taking these again.
      Thanks for sharing😁♥️

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        July 17, 2024 at 8:10 am

        Thank you for sharing, Rita!

        Reply
    10. Debbie Elliott says

      July 16, 2024 at 8:27 pm

      These bars are excellent and very tasty the recipe and ingredients list is very easy to follow.

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        July 17, 2024 at 8:08 am

        Thank you for sharing, Debbie!

        Reply
    11. Britta says

      July 16, 2024 at 9:27 pm

      Delicious and outstandingly flexible recipe! Yummy…

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        July 19, 2024 at 6:08 am

        So happy you liked them, Britta, thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    12. Joy Sutten says

      September 14, 2024 at 10:28 am

      Hi, your no bake granola bars sound great. I would love to make them but am allergic to peanuts (and all other legumes). Can you suggest a substitute for the peanuts. I have a jar of Black Sesame seed paste. Could I use this as a substitute.

      Reply
      • Stephanie Kay says

        September 14, 2024 at 10:47 am

        You could use another nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter, or a seed butter, such as sunflower butter or tahini.

        Reply
    13. Cathy says

      November 5, 2024 at 3:46 pm

      Excellent, easy, and quick! Thank you Red.

      Reply
    Stephanie Kay Nutrition

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