Easy No-Bake Granola Bars: Best Healthy Snack Recipe
These easy no-bake granola bars are chewy, sturdy, and packed with flavor. Made with simple ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, and dates, they come together in about 15 minutes and are perfect for busy mornings, post-workout refueling, or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (180g) rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (130g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup (110g) honey
- 1 cup (about 10–12 dates) pitted Medjool dates
- 1 cup (120g) mixed nuts (almonds and pecans, roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup (80g) dried fruit (cranberries or raisins)
- 2 tablespoons (15g) chia seeds (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of overhang on two opposite sides. Set aside.
- Place the pitted Medjool dates in a food processor. Pulse to break them up, then process until a smooth, sticky paste forms (about 30-45 seconds). Scrape down sides as needed.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter and honey. Stir constantly until smooth and warm (about 2-3 minutes). Do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, and chia seeds (if using). Toss to distribute evenly.
- Pour the warm peanut butter-honey mixture over the dry ingredients. Add the date paste in spoonfuls. Fold together with a spatula until no dry spots remain and the mixture holds together when squeezed.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press down very firmly using the bottom of a measuring cup or a flat glass. Spend 2-3 minutes compacting it well, especially in the edges and corners.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until firm.
- Once fully chilled, lift the block out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Place on a cutting board and cut into 12 even bars using a sharp serrated knife. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Press the mixture firmly into the pan to prevent bars from falling apart. Chill for at least 2 hours before cutting. For best texture, use room temperature peanut butter and soft Medjool dates. If dates are dry, soak in warm water for 10 minutes before using. Bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
Keywords: no-bake granola bars, healthy snack, easy granola bars, homemade granola bars, no bake snack, granola bars with dates