I may not have it all figured out, nor do I think we ever will. But small strides can give out the motivation to continue. I don’t know what it is about having foods and snacks prepped in my freezer that lights me up, but it does. A sense of pride comes beaming off of me when my kids whip out one of these no-bake granola bars after school. And they’re so easy to make, easy to store, and delicious to eat. 

If you’re looking for a healthy snack or treat to have on hand – these chewy-no-bake granola bars are a great option. 

the ingredients

The secret to these chewy, no-bake granola bars is getting the right ratio. I found the perfect ratio to be 4 cups dry ingredients to 1 1/2 cups wet ingredients. Once you have the ratio down, you can mix and match flavors to your preference. You even take them as far as going grain-free or keto.

Just sub the oats for more coconut or another dry ingredient of choice and switch out the peanut butter for almond butter. 

The ingredients that steal the show are these: 

• Flax meal – adding healthy and natural fiber plus a great fat source.
• Chia seeds and/or hemp hearts– for a dose of healthy fats
• Coconut oil – adds to healthy fats, which slows the digestion rate.
• Collagen – for the protein, we’re looking to make these bars complete.

protein no-bake granola bars

Speaking of protein, not all protein is created equal. Most granola bars are using some type of whey or soy-isolate as their protein source. There is a lot of debate on this, and my opinion is they aren’t the best source of protein.

I prefer collagen over any other form of added protein. Collagen is more bio-available, easier to digest and absorb, plus it contains vital nutrients we have a hard time getting from other foods.

make no-bake granola bars any flavor you love

Don’t forget you can switch up the flavors to be anything you prefer. The secret is to add 1/2 ingredient of the “add-in” at the end. Here are a few suggestions to change the flavor:

• Chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Macadamia nuts
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Raisins
• Craisins
• Dried Cherries
• Cocoa Powder
• Crushed Pretzels

The recipe base

• 2 cups gluten-free old-fashioned oats
• 1½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• ½ cup flax meal
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• ⅓ cup collagen powder
• 1-2 teaspoons seasonings {cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, pumpkin pie spice}
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 1 cup nut butter {almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter}
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ½ cup add-in

1. Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
2. Warm nut butter, coconut oil, and honey together in a smaller bowl. Mix well and pour over dry ingredients.
3. Stir until well combined, and then mix in the add-in, stirring until just incorporated.
4. Pour onto a parchment paper-lined pan and flatten until you reach the desired thickness and freeze for 1-2 hours.
5. Remove, slice, and then re-freeze in individual bags or all together.
6. Store in the freezer until serving.

Mix-it up with different flavors

Monkey Granola Bars

• ¼ cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup peanuts
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1. Add cocoa powder to dry ingredients before incorporating wet.
2. Add chocolate chips and peanuts at the very end and stir until just combined.

Oatmeal Raisin

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup raisins

1. Add additional cinnamon to dry ingredients before mixing in wet.
2. At the end add in raisins and mix until just incorporated.

Cherry Chocolate chip

• ¼ cup dried cherries
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips

1. Add dried cherries and chocolate chips right at the end and stir until just combined.

Trail Mix

•  1/4 cup mixed dried fruit
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts & seeds

1. Add dried fruit and mixed nuts at the end, stirring until just combined.

Salted Pretzel

•  1/4 crushed pretzels (GF options available)
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Add crushed pretzel and mini chocolate chips at the end, stirring until just combined.

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Are you enjoying all things granola?

Check out these delicious granola recipes!

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