Nutty Delight No-Bake Granola Bars
These Nutty Delight No-Bake Granola Bars are a wholesome, nutritious snack perfect for busy families. With a delightful combo of textures and flavors, they make for an easy, satisfying grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Packed with whole grains, nuts, and seeds, they are not only healthy but also customizable with your favorite dried fruits and optional chocolate chips. Your kids will love their chewy texture and you’ll appreciate the simplicity of preparation. Enjoy them fresh from the fridge or at room temperature - these bars are versatile, portable, and ready to energize your day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
puffed brown rice cereal
2 cups (unsweetened)
old-fashioned oats
2 cups
roasted almonds
1/4 cup (chopped)
roasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup
shredded coconut
1/2 cup
dried fruit
1/2 cup (chopped)
peanut butter
1/2 cup
brown rice syrup or honey
1/2 cup
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
mini chocolate chips
1 cup (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the puffed brown rice cereal, old-fashioned oats, chopped roasted almonds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, and dried fruit. Stir until well mixed.
2
In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the peanut butter, brown rice syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract until just warm. Avoid boiling to maintain the texture.
3
Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly, using your hands for the best results, ensuring all the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
4
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch pan, spreading it out evenly.
5
Using moist fingers or the bottom of another greased 9x13 pan, firmly compress the mixture to create a solid bar structure.
6
If desired, sprinkle the mini chocolate chips on top and gently press them in for an extra chocolatey touch.
7
Cover the pan with plastic wrap and set aside to cool completely at room temperature or place in the refrigerator for quicker cooling.
8
Once cooled, slice into 24 equal bars.
9
For optimal freshness, wrap each bar individually and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay delicious for up to 2 weeks!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Nutty Delight No-Bake Granola Bars?
They are a wholesome, nutritious snack made with oats, cereal, nuts, and seeds, perfect for busy families looking for a grab-and-go breakfast.
Do I need to bake these granola bars?
No, this is a no-bake recipe; you simply combine the ingredients and let them cool and set in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
How many bars does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 24 equal-sized granola bars when sliced from a 9x13-inch pan.
Can I use honey instead of brown rice syrup?
Yes, you can use either brown rice syrup or honey as the sweetener and binder for these bars.
How should I store these granola bars?
For optimal freshness, wrap each bar individually and store them in the refrigerator.
How long do the bars stay fresh?
The bars will stay delicious for up to 2 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator.
What type of oats are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of old-fashioned oats.
Are these granola bars vegan?
They can be vegan if you use brown rice syrup instead of honey and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free.
Can I make these bars nut-free?
Yes, you can substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and replace the almonds with extra seeds to make them nut-free.
What kind of puffed cereal is recommended?
The recipe specifically recommends using 2 cups of unsweetened puffed brown rice cereal.
Why shouldn't I boil the peanut butter mixture?
The mixture should only be warmed to maintain the desired chewy texture; boiling can change the consistency of the final bar.
How do I prevent the bars from falling apart?
You must firmly compress the mixture into the pan using moist fingers or the bottom of another pan to create a solid structure.
Can I use different nuts or seeds?
Yes, the recipe is customizable; you can swap almonds or sunflower seeds for your favorites like walnuts or pumpkin seeds.
Are the chocolate chips mandatory?
No, the mini chocolate chips are an optional addition for an extra chocolatey touch.
What dried fruits work best?
You can use any chopped dried fruit you prefer, such as raisins, cranberries, or dried apricots.
Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?
Yes, almond butter works perfectly as a substitute for peanut butter in this recipe.
Is vanilla extract necessary?
The recipe includes 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor of the bars.
What pan size is needed?
You will need a greased 9x13-inch pan to set the granola bars.
Can I eat these bars at room temperature?
Yes, these bars are versatile and can be enjoyed fresh from the fridge or at room temperature.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, because they are portable and stay fresh for 14 days, they are excellent for weekly meal preparation.
Can I use steel-cut oats?
No, steel-cut oats are too tough for no-bake recipes; stick to old-fashioned oats for the best results.
Are these bars good for kids?
Absolutely, kids love the chewy texture and the sweet, nutty flavor of these bars.
Can I omit the shredded coconut?
Yes, if you are not a fan of coconut, you can omit it or replace it with more cereal or oats.
How do I mix the wet and dry ingredients effectively?
Using your hands is often the best way to ensure all the dry ingredients are evenly coated by the peanut butter mixture.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can double the recipe and use two 9x13 pans if you need to make a larger batch.
Do I need to grease the pan?
Yes, the recipe recommends transferring the mixture into a greased pan to prevent the bars from sticking.
What makes these bars healthy?
They are packed with whole grains, fiber, and protein from nuts and seeds without using refined sugars.
How many ingredients are required?
There are 10 main ingredients, including the cereal, oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, fruit, and binders.
Can I freeze these granola bars?
Yes, these bars freeze well; just ensure they are tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
Why use mini chocolate chips instead of regular ones?
Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly and stay pressed into the surface better than larger chips.