Just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to whip these up. These bars are so easy to make, you'll never buy store-bought granola bars again. They are very filling, boasting 9g of protein using only whole food ingredients, and are vegan and gluten free!
Granola bars used to be my go-to snack growing up. They were quick, convenient, tasty and healthy! Right?
You'd think, but boy was I wrong! My usual choice was the Quaker Chewy Granola Bars. I know, not the best choice in the first place. And I needed at least two to feel full. They were low calorie which back then meant healthy in my mind. What I didn't realize was that if I just ate more filling foods (yes that includes higher calories), I wouldn't have had to snack so much, which ultimately led me to more poor food choices.
Those bars were (and still are) considered low fat and have only 1 or 2 grams of protein per bar. Not satiating at all. But they were tasty!
So, I decided I needed to recreate a granola bar that is reminiscent of those granola bars, keeping the aspects I liked about them but improving upon them to make them more filling and a viable snacking option for someone low on time or on the go.
I know you're wondering, "is that even possible?!"
Introducing my 5-Ingredient No-Bake Granola Bars!
These bars are:
- Filling - packing 9g of protein per bar!
- Convenient - make ahead and grab when you need them
- Quick - just 5 minutes to prep
- Delicious - the perfect combination of salty and sweet
- Healthy - no refined flours or sugar here
- Chewy - they got the chewy texture that I love!
How to make
It is really so simple, you're going to be shocked. All you need is a large mixing bowl and a flat pan. No baking necessary!
I start with heating up the maple syrup and peanut butter in the microwave so that it mixes together better and becomes more liquidity. This is necessary especially if you're using a natural nut butter that has to be refrigerated.
Then I add in the cinnamon and salt to make sure they're evenly distributed before I add in the oats. After that I make sure everything is evenly mixed and then pour it in to my pan lined with parchment paper.
It needs about an hour in the refrigerator to firm up. Then I slice it into bars and grab one as I need. I just keep them stored in the refrigerator since I eat them within the week but you can individually wrap them in parchment paper and freeze for longer.
Additional flavor variations and mix-in options
- ¼ - ½ cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup dried fruit
- 2 - 4 tablespoons of chia or hemp seeds for a protein boost
- ½ cup chopped nuts
The possibilities are endless! These bars are a great base recipe to build upon. You can make them as sweet or as salty as you want. Make them crunchier with nuts or get a dose of those omega-3s with added seeds. They're so versatile.
I can tell they're going to be on my weekly rotation from now on because of how simple they are to make and how easy it is to modify them to a different flavor. If I get bored of one flavor I'll just add something new in next time to mix it up. Easy peasy!
These bars are so hearty and delicious, full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. No more snack time dilemmas — just make these! Problem solved.
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5 Ingredient No Bake Granola Bars (Vegan + Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-natural peanut butter, * or preferred all-natural nut butter
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, or agave syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups rolled oats
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe mixing bowl add the peanut butter and maple syrup. Microwave until heated through and then thoroughly mix them together. Alternatively use the stovetop to heat.¾ cup all-natural peanut butter, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- Add in the cinnamon and salt and stir to combine. Then add the oats and mix well.¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 cups rolled oats
- Pour the oat mixture into your prepared pan and press down evenly into place. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the bars to firm up.
- When ready, remove from pan and slice into 8 bars.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
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denise
I thought this sounded like something I've tried before, but I figured since it got good reviews maybe my proportions were just off. Nope. All I got after the fridge was a tray of crumbly, maple peanut butter coated oats.
Rachel
Hi Denise, I'm sorry to hear that! What type of peanut butter did you use? I like all natural because it is more liquid-y which helps hold everything together. I should have made that clearer in the instructions.
Bree
Absolutely delicious and easy!! Made these during my lunch break and enjoyed after work. New fav sweet treat.
Health My Lifestyle
Yay, I'm so glad!! 🙂
Jennifer
Oh so good and easy to make.
Health My Lifestyle
Thank you, Jennifer! I'm so happy to hear that 🙂
Andrea
So easy to make and a great snack! I added chopped cashews, pumpkin seeds and some ground flax.
They really held together, no more buying granola bars! Thanks!
Health My Lifestyle
Love the additions you added! So glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Bev
Hi Andrea
How much flax meal did you add?
Thanks
Beverly
Renée
Hi. What could I substitute the peanut butter with to make it nut free? Would coconut oil work? Do you have any other suggestions?
Health My Lifestyle
Hi Renée, I would try sunflower seed butter instead as it will provide the closest consistency to peanut butter 🙂
Maryanne Barra
How would I make these with lower carbs and sugar free
Health My Lifestyle
You can use any liquid sweetener so you could try something like Stevia for sugar-free. That will reduce some of the carbs but oats are a main ingredient which contain healthy complex carbs with fiber and many nutrients so it'd be hard to replace them with something else.
Gigi
don't the oats neex to be cooked before eating them?
Health My Lifestyle
Nope, oats don't need to be cooked, but soaking them like this softens them so they're more palatable and have similar texture to cooked 🙂
Pammy
Hi, just wondered if the nutrition was per bar?
Health My Lifestyle
Yes, nutrition is per bar 🙂
Tawnie Kroll
Wow these were incredible! So easy and I love the minimal ingredients. Thank you!
Health My Lifestyle
Thanks, Tawnie! So glad you enjoyed them!
Jen
Easy and better than store bought bars that go stale. Love to take these on long hikes.
Health My Lifestyle
Perfect fuel for a hike! Thanks, Jen!
Rhonda Albom
I can't believe how fast these can be made. I'm going to give them a try. Chocolate chips will be in my batch.
Health My Lifestyle
Yes, crazy fast! And chocolate chips would be so tasty 🙂 Enjoy!
Kushigalu
Love these 5 Ingredient bars. They are so so delicious.
Health My Lifestyle
Thank you so glad you enjoyed them!
cyndy
You are right - these are easy peasy and taste so much like the store-bought bars that have hardly any nutrition in them. I love them - we added mini chocolate chips to them and the kids liked them even better! Thanks for this recipe - love it!!
Health My Lifestyle
I'm so glad! Mini chocolate chips sound like an excellent addition! Thanks, Cyndy!