DIY No Bake Granola Bar Recipe
Granola bars are the perfect on-the-go snack for anyone from the busy soccer mom to the burly wilderness guide. However, not all granola bars on the store shelves are the healthiest snacks. Being a vegetarian, I always check the nutrition facts so I can get the most protein and carbs for my money. If you haven’t been checking nutrition facts on granola bars, you should. Many bars boast low calories, high protein, full of energy or whatever but they are still full of sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
When you are out on your adventures or just having a busy school day, you need fats, carbs, and protein, not sugar. Sugar will just give you a quick high and a horrific crash. The most nutritious granola bars always seem to taste fabulous but you will pay for it. If you are on a budget or just simply want to feed your body wholesome food, check out these do-it-yourself granola bar recipes. I tried to find the two easiest bar recipes that require only a bit of roasting in the oven so you can spend more time outside than in your kitchen!
No Bake, Five Ingredient Granola Bar
This first recipe is fairly basic. However, it is extrememly customizable. You can add whatever goodies your little heart desires or you can keep it simple with just the five basic ingredients.
Ingredients
- Pitted Dates, 1 cup (230 mL)
- Rolled Oats, 1.5 cup (350 mL)
- Creamy Nut Butter (any kind of nut butter will do, peanut, almond, whatever), ¼ cup (60mL)
- Roasted Almonds, 1 cup (250 mL)
- Honey (or maple syrup), ¼ cup (60 mL)
- OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS: Chocolate chips, dried fruit, vanilla, coconut flakes
How To
- Process dates in a food processor. Dates will clump together, that is normal.
- Toast your oats in the oven for 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) on a baking sheet.
- Place dates, oats, and almonds in one bowl. Set aside.
- Heat honey and nut butter on stovetop to melt over low heat.
- Once melted, pour the honey and nut butter mixture over your dates, oats, and almonds.
- Mix all ingredients together. Make sure to disperse dates (they tend to stick together).
- Line a square baking dish with parchment paper or plastic wrap.
- Lay your mixture in the baking dish, spread, and flatten well (the larger the dish the thinner the bars and vice versa).
- Cover dish with plastic wrap. Let sit in fridge for 15-20 minutes so the bars can set and harden.
- Remove mixture and cut into bars. You can keep these in an airtight container for about a week. You can leave them in the freezer for even longer.
This recipe was adapted from: http://minimalistbaker.com/healthy-5-ingredient-granola-bars/
No Bake Quinoa Bars
Quinoa tastes like a grain but is actually a seed. This seed has a nutty flavor that is great for a salty side dish or a sweet-tasting bar! Quinoa is high in protein. It is actually the only plant based protein that has all amino acids our bodies need. Quinoa is a great option for vegetarians or anyone looking to up their protein intake. All these bars can be adapted to your taste. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of dried fruits. Quinoa is usually eaten cooked but this recipe calls for raw quinoa (less cooking yay!).
Ingredients
- Raw Quinoa, 1 cup (230 mL)
- Rolled Oats, 1 cup (230 mL)
- Pitted dates, 1/2 cup (120 mL)*
- Creamy Nut Butter, ½ cup (120 mL)
- Dried Fruit, chopped (blueberries, cherries, and cranberries are my favorite!) ½ cup, (120 mL)
- Honey or maple syrup, 1/3 cup (80 mL)
- Chopped nuts of your choice, 1/2 cup (120 mL)
- Vanilla Extract, 1 teaspoon
- Optional: Shredded coconut, Mini chocolate chips (or chocolate flakes)
- *If you do not have dates on hand, you can always up the amount of honey.
How To
This how to is very similar to the first recipe.
- Roast oats, quinoa, and nuts on a baking sheet in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Combine honey and nut butter in a saucepan. Heat on stove top over low heat until melted and combined.
- Process dates in food processor.
- Mix vanilla into honey and nut butter mixture.
- Mix roasted oats, quinoa, dates, and nuts with honey and nut butter in a bowl.
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Let mixture cook a bit before adding chocolate chips. Add coconut flakes if desired.
- Put mixture into baking dish and firmly flatten the mixture. Make sure to really push down on the mixture so they are condensed and will stay in their solidified form instead of crumbling apart.
- Chill in the mixture in the fridge for two hours or overnight. If you don’t chill these, you will have a crumbly mess
Also think about adding
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, blueberries, cranberries, cherries
- Seeds: chia seeds, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds
- Drizzles: Think about drizzling yogurt or chocolate on top of your bars. This will require more set time in the fridge but oh my yum!
- Nut allergy? Use sunbutter instead of peanut or almond butter or add coconut oil.
These bars do take some time to set in the fridge. However, your bars will be the perfect taste for you and you will know the exact ingredients you are putting in your body and feeding your family.
Is there any other outdoor snacks you like to make yourself? Tell us in the comments below!
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