No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars are a healthy treat or snack that tastes almost like an almond joy but without added fillers and refined sugars. They are crunchy, sweet, chewy, and sure to satisfy those cravings for something sweet.
These healthy no-bake oat bars are a delicious treat that comes together in minutes. Made without your oven so you can enjoy them all summer long without heating up the house. Perfect for a simple treat that you can keep chilled and readily available.
Vegan Chocolate Granola Bars
This recipe, as written, can easily be adjusted to suit any number of dietary restrictions. We can make this recipe dairy-free, vegan, and plant-based by using dark chocolate or dairy-free chocolate chips. The low sugar content is also great for those of us trying to keep our sugars in check.
Ingredients you’ll need for chocolate granola bar:
- Maple syrup
- Nut butter
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Rolled oats
- Quick oats
- Shredded coconut
- Chocolate chips
- Almonds
For the exact amount needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make No Bake Chocolate Granola Bars
Add your maple syrup, coconut oil, and nut butter to a medium-sized pan over medium heat.
Stir well until combined.
Remove the pan from the heat and then add in the chocolate chips, stirring together until the chocolate has melted and combined with the rest of the ingredients.
Add in the shredded coconut, vanilla extract, salt, ground cinnamon, and almonds. Stir together to combine.
Add in the quick oats and rolled oats, mixing well to combine.
Place a piece of parchment paper into an 8×8 square pan and drop the prepared granola mixture into the pan, extending it out to the sides in an even layer.
Sprinkle some additional coconut on top and place it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Once hardened, you can chop the granola into ten individual-sized bars.
Serve and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- You can use just about any nut butter desired to make this recipe. Some of our favorites include peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter.
- The 2 tablespoons of rolled oats are to add some texture to the granola bars, but if desired, you can just use 2 cups of quick oats instead.
- If you find that after 30 minutes in the fridge, your granola still hasn’t set enough to slice into bars, pop it into the freezer for a quick 10-20 minute process speed-up.
Substitutions
Maple syrup can be replaced with honey or agave nectar.
While we use almonds in this recipe, you can feel free to omit them or swap them out for a different type of nut. Some great tasting nut choices include:
- Macadamia nuts
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Walnuts
And for an even richer taste experience, you can toast the nuts (or coconut) before using.
Variations
For a nice salted crunch, sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the top of these granola bars just after you finish pressing them into the pan.
Add in some dried fruits for a little more added sweetness and a nice kick of energy. Here are some great dried fruit options to consider:
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Strawberries
- Raisins
- Figs
FAQs
How do you make granola bars stick together?
To get your granola bars to stick together, you will need a good binding agent. In our case, we use maple syrup as a natural sweetener and a binding agent because it is so sticky. We also cook the mixture until it’s combining well before pressing it into the pan, and this really helps to get the granola to hold its shape well.
Why are granola bars not good for you?
A lot of granola bars are packed with refined sugars, sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, and other ingredients that can have a negative impact on your health. With our homemade granola bar recipe, we use natural sugars and whole foods ingredients to make it as healthy as can be.
Can you lose weight by eating granola?
Eating the right granolas can help you to lose weight if you select the higher fiber options when available. Eating high fiber granola can help to keep you feeling fuller longer so that you are less likely to snack on unhealthy foods throughout the day.
If you loved this granola bars recipe, then you’re going to love these other recipes too:
- Easy Sugar-Free Granola Recipe
- Healthy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
- 10 Must-Make Healthy Homemade Granola Bars
- Pumpkin Granola Yogurt Parfaits
- Gingerbread Pudding Granola Breakfast Bowl
- Pina Colada Granola (vegan & can be GF!)
- GF Apple & Sunbutter Granola Muffins
No-bake Chocolate Granola Bars
Healthy, quick, and energetic Granola Bars! They're chewy and sweet with a crunchy bite due to almonds. In less than 30 minutes, you can enjoy this homemade option which is more delicious than anyone you can buy!
Ingredients
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup peanut, almond, or cashew butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup quick oats
- ⅓ cup shredded coconut
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup almonds
Instructions
- Place maple syrup, coconut oil, and the chosen nut butter into a medium-sized pan. Bring it over medium heat, stirring until it is all well combined.
- Remove the pan from heat and add chocolate chips; mix until the chocolate melts and combines with the rest of the ingredients. Then add shredded coconut, vanilla extract, salt, ground cinnamon, and almonds. Stir to combine.
- Next, add quick oats and rolled oats. Mix to combine.
- Finally, place parchment paper in an 8’’ square mold. Drop the mixture into the prepared mold, and press down and to the sides to extend it evenly.
- Sprinkle some shredded coconut on top and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once the mixture has hardened, you’ll be able to chop 10 individual bars.
