When it comes to snacking, I want something that’s quick, healthy and toddler-friendly. These granola bars are just that! Made with real, unprocessed ingredients and simple to make is just what I’m looking for. Plus, your toddler can help make them which can get a little messy, but is oh-so worth it! To see the look on my daughter’s face when she gets to help stir, add ingredients, or be my taste-tester is just the best! Yes there will probably be oats and flax seeds all over the floor, but the memories outweigh the mess, right?

I’ve been making a batch of these granola bars every week because my family gobbles them up! Whether they are an on-the-go breakfast for my husband, a quick snack for my toddler or a post-dinner sweet treat, they get eaten in no time!

What I love so much about these granola bars is that they are super versatile. There are so many optional add-ins that you can use to make these granola bars exactly how you like them. In the mood for something chocolatey? Perfect, just add cocoa powder or chocolate chips. In a fruity mood? No problem, add some unsweetened dried cherries or raisins. Want to increase the protein content? Great, add some hemp seeds or one of your favorite “clean” protein powders. You get the idea.

Great Source of Plant-Based Omega-3 Fats.

Dietary fats, specifically omega-3 fats are a topic most people are either confused about or unaware of. Healthy anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats are lacking in most of our diets! Your body needs these anti-inflammatory fats to fight disease and keep your body functioning optimally.

Eating fat is an important part of having a healthy diet, but it’s the healthy fats we need to be consuming more of, while limiting the unhealthy ones. [If you’re interested in learning more about dietary fats, check out my blog post: 5 Reasons to Eat More Fat.] Omega-3 fats are one of the healthiest fats you can consume. They’re found most abundantly in wild-caught seafood, but some great plant-based sources include flax seeds and walnuts, both of which are used in this recipe!

Healthy Whole Grain No-Bake Granola Bars

servings: about 15

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup oats
• 1 tightly packed cup pitted dates
• 1 cup walnuts (or raw almonds, raw cashews or a mixture of raw nuts)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup ground flax
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tbsp water
• Optional add ins: cacao nibs, chocolate chips, dried fruit, hemp seeds, cocoa powder, protein powder

DIRECTIONS

In food processor, process dates until finely chopped and they form into a ball. Add dates to large mixing bowl. In the same food processor, add walnuts and process until finely chopped. Meanwhile, add honey, almond butter and vanilla to small saucepan on low heat and stir until mixture is smooth and uniform. Remove from heat. To the large mixing bowl with dates, add all other ingredients [oats, shredded coconut, ground flax seeds, walnuts, honey/almond butter mixture, cinnamon and salt]. Using a wooden spoon stir mixture until all ingredients are evenly distributed [this may take a few minutes to get everything incorporated]. If the mixture is still pretty dry add a tbsp of water and continue mixing. Add more water by the tablespoon (I used 3 tbsp) until your mixture sticks together well. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper. Add mixture to baking dish, press firmly and evenly. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to one week. Enjoy!

Healthy Whole Grain No-Bake Granola Bars

 

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Prep time

20 mins

Total time

20 mins

 

Author: Angela Freed

Serves: about 15

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1 tightly packed cup pitted dates
• 1 cup walnuts (or raw almonds, raw cashews or a mixture of raw nuts)
• ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ¼ cup ground flax
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ cup almond butter
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tbsp water
• Optional add ins: cacao nibs, chocolate chips, dried fruit, hemp seeds, cocoa powder, protein powder

Instructions

1. In food processor, process dates until finely chopped and they form into a ball. Add dates to large mixing bowl.
2. In the same food processor, add walnuts and process until finely chopped.
3. Meanwhile, add honey, almond butter and vanilla to small saucepan on low heat and stir until mixture is smooth and uniform. Remove from heat.
4. To the large mixing bowl with dates, add all other ingredients [oats, shredded coconut, ground flax seeds, walnuts, honey/almond butter mixture, cinnamon and salt].
5. Using a wooden spoon stir mixture until all ingredients are evenly distributed [this may take a few minutes to get everything incorporated].
6. If the mixture is still pretty dry add a tbsp of water and continue mixing. Add more water by the tablespoon (I used 3 tbsp) until your mixture sticks together well.
7. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
8. Add mixture to baking dish, press firmly and evenly. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
9. Cut into bars and store in an airtight container for up to one week.
10. Enjoy!

3.5.3228

Have you tried this recipe yet? Let me know in the comments below! What are your favorite add-ins?