Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars

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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

For more yumminess from me and my foodie friends, keep up with me on…

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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!

5 from 2 votes

Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars

A crunchy, chewy, nutty snack that takes minutes to make.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Chilling time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 -18

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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

Adapted from Brown Eyed Baker.

Nutrition Facts

Honey Nut No Bake Granola Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 201 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 65mg3%

Potassium 202mg6%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 17g19%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 195IU4%

Vitamin C 1.8mg2%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

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Originally published 2/20/15

Enjoy!