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Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars are perfect when you are on-the-go, but you don’t want to settle for a substandard snack. Even when you are busy you still want to eat things that are wholesome and tasty, which is why it’s always good to have a healthy no-bake snack you’ve packed to bring along with you. This honey nut granola bar recipe is so easy to prepare, taking less than ten minutes to mix up and press into the pan. Plus they are packed with whole grains and protein, and are gluten free and dairy free. Be prepared for the next time afternoon hunger strikes by making this homemade granola bar recipe with honey and nuts.
Honey Nut No-Bake Granola Bar Recipe
A few weeks ago, I thought it was a food blogger disaster when my camera started acting up on me. Well, that was nothing compared to what followed shortly thereafter. I had not one, but two laptops stop working.
Back in October, my old one needed its logic board replaced. Since it was a few years old, I decided to get it fixed for the boys to use and so I would have a backup, and I got a new one. Well, apparently I have as much luck with logic boards as I do with plants. Meaning, I have no luck at all. So while the new laptop was in the computer hospital having a logic board transplant, I tried to use the backup.
That is until the battery chose that exact moment to reach the end of its expected life span, rendering the laptop utterly useless. Awesome. A list of deadlines, two broken computers, and three trips to the mall in four days putting me way behind schedule was definitely not what I needed. Not to mention it threw a curveball to my normal eating habits with all of the running around I had to do.
I mean, what I really wanted to do was make and devour a Peanut Butter Cup Flourless Chocolate Cake Roll. Probably would have been a bad idea.
Luckily I had made a batch of Honey Nut No-Bake Granola Bars. They literally take minutes to make. Once I cut and wrapped up the squares, they were super portable, and oh so yummy, with their naturally sweet and salty, deliciously nutty flavor. And totally satisfying. I could easily grab one along with a Cherry Vanilla Almond Smoothie on my way out the door.
Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bar Recipe Tips:
- Be sure to line your pan with plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper to make sure you can get the granola bars out.
- The recipe calls for crisp brown rice cereal, but if you have a hard time finding that you can use plain old Rice Krispies, particularly if making gluten free granola bars is not a concern for you.
- The chopped dates, oats, cereal, and nuts are tossed together in a bowl.
- The honey and peanut butter are then melted together in the microwave to achieve a pourable consistency. You can always do this in a small saucepan on the stove.
- Be sure to add the vanilla after melting the honey and peanut butter together so that it does not evaporate.
- Once you pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and toss to coat evenly, be sure to press down firmly in the pan so the granola bars stick together.
- Allow the bars to cool and firm up for about an hour.
- I cut them into about 9 bars to make them a little bigger for the sake of the photos. But at this size, they are super filling
Are Granola Bars Gluten Free?
- Many storebought granola bars are not gluten free, which is why it’s often best to make homemade granola bars so that you can control the ingredients.
- Be sure you buy certified gluten free oats if needed.
- Note that Rice Krispies are NOT gluten free, so you will need to seek out the crispy brown rice cereal from brands such as Erewhon or Nature’s Path. See the links below to find these on Amazon.
- It’s always a good idea to check ingredients like flax seed and nuts to be sure it isn’t processed in a facility that handles wheat products.
- High quality brands of vanilla are typically gluten free, but you may want to check as some less expensive brands may use gluten-containing ingredients.
- With a few precautions you can make homemade gluten free granola bars.
What do you need to make no bake granola bars?
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Looking for some more healthy no-bake snacks?
- Pineapple Coconut Energy Balls
- Easy Peanut Butter Banana Snacks
- Chunky Monkey Energy Balls
- Chocolate Pudding Snack Hack
- Mint Chocolate Chip Glazed Popcorn
- No-Bake Fresh Fruit Cobbler from Boulder Locavore
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding from Eats Well With Others
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Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars Recipe
With only about ten minutes of prep time and no oven or stove needed, these are the perfect quick and easy snack recipe. Packed with whole grains, fiber, and protein, there is plenty of nutrition along with the sweet, nutty flavor you love in a homemade granola bar. Plus they are gluten free and dairy free. Make sure you make a batch to pack in the kids’ lunches or to toss in your purse or bag when you are out for a busy day.
I hope you’ll leave a comment and give it a FIVE STAR rating or share a photo on this pin on Pinterest!
Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 1/4 cups crisp brown rice cereal
- 1 cup uncooked quick-cooking oats
- 2 tablespoons almond meal and/or ground flaxseed (I used a tablespoon of each)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8x8-inch pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper
- Place the dates in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- In a large bowl, toss together the dates, cereal, oats, almond meal and/or flaxseed, walnuts, and pecans. Set aside
- Combine the honey and peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 second to one minute stirring every 15-20 seconds until melted and smooth. Or combine in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir until thoroughly coated and combined.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly into the pan.
- Let cool completely to room temperature, at least one hour.
- Cut into bars and store in an airtight container. Refrigerate for longer storage.
Notes
Categories:
Originally published 2/20/15
Enjoy!
These look delicious AND they will work with our many food allergies! Pinning! Thanks for linking up to Tips & Tricks! Hope to see you again this week! 🙂
I want to try Veggie Harvest.
I want to try the Citrus Kick
I’ve never tried jamba juice before (we didn’t have them near me) but my husband talks about them all the time (pretty much any time i attempt making a smoothie). I’d love to try any of them but especially the orange berry antioxidant :D!
I’m been to Jamba juice and love their smoothies.. I’ve never tried Veggie Harvest , but would like to now!
I would like to try the Veggie Harvest
I’d like to try Orange Carrot Twist.
The triple revitalizer sounds like a great breakfast smoothie if you’re on the go, I would try it 🙂
I am most interested in trying the citrus kick variety.
citrus kick sounds amazing.
I would like to try Veggie Harvest.
I would try the Orange Berry Antioxidant!
I wish there was a Jamba Juice near me in Pennsylvania. I love fruit/veggie juices. Granola bar are loved too and I would love to make my own!
I love making my own, especially for my kiddos!
The orange reviver sounds good!
The tropical greens juice sounds good!
Citrus kick sounds yummy!
Oooh Brianne! How I love my raw bar foods!! Pinned this before even reading the recipe!! I have never tried the juices at Jamba. Only the smoothies when I worked and could afford them. All the juices look great, but would try the Veggie Harvest first.
These bars are great! I want to make so many different varieties!
I didn’t realize we had a Jamba Juice not too far from me! I think I would like to try the Tropical Greens.
I would like to try the Citrus Kick!
we LOVE all the new fruit and veggie juices at Jamba – I usually go for anything with beets 🙂 and these bars would be a big hit for lunch packing with my kids
These look and sound delicious! I can’t believe how easy they are to put together. I’ve got all the ingredients on hand…lucky me!
I know, all pantry staples, which is so great!
I would like to try the Veggie Harvest.
I’ve never had jamba juice, but if there was a place near me I would be all over it. In college, we would go get smoothies all the time. The jamba juice reminds me of them. Those granola bars look delicious! They look like the perfect snack for on the go.
They all sound so good! The tropical kick start makes me want to go on a vacation!
I LOVE Jamba juice but there are none around here…sigh. I love the look of this homemade granola bar too. So gooooood!
I know, I didn’t have any close by! So glad I do now!
The Citrus Kick sounds absolutely yummy! Oranges, apples, pineapples and ginger All of my favs! And it would go great with the Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars! A healthy, delicious snack!
I see a perfect way to start the day right here!
I would love to try the Tropical Greens!
They all look great, but I think I’d try the Orange Berry first!
I agree they all do look great. But if I have to choose I’m going for the Garden Medley!