Replace store-bought granola bars often packed with processed sugars and fats with these sweet, gooey, nutty healthy no-bake granola bars full of all good things.
Honey Almond and Tahini Healthy No-Bake Granola Bars
With school back in session, I just bet you guys are all scrabbling around trying to find a good snack for the lunch box or an after school treat.
Staying away from the store-bought processed stuff doesn't have to be hard when you can whip up these amazing little bars in no time at all.
Meal Prepping Healthy No-Bake Granola Bars With The Kids
I usually make two batches of homemade granola bars at once.
One gets wrapped individually with beeswax and popped into the freezer for next week.
The other gets stored in the fridge and popped into lunch boxes in the morning.
I like to get the kids involved in packing their own boxes, so I tend to keep these on the lower shelves in the fridge so they can access them easily when helping out during the morning rush.
If you are in need of a new lunch box, we use this one and absolutely love it. I have a couple, so I change out the inside layer every day and the kids get a kick out of guessing what color they are going to get.
Ideas For Ingredient Substitutions
Healthy no-bake granola bars make a great little grab-n-go snack when you are rushing from school straight to sports practice as well. There is nothing worse than trying to cajole a kid with a hungry belly into participating with their sports team!
Feel free to change up the ingredients if you have allergies, the school has a nut-free policy or you or the kids simply don't like a particular ingredient. Good subs are:
- raisins;
- dates;
- prunes;
- figs;
- chopped apricots;
- sunflower seeds
- pepitas
- hemp seeds
- flax seeds
Why Do I Have To Toast The Oats and Almonds?
Both these ingredients contain a compound called phytic acid which is destroyed by heat. We don't want this compound in our bodies so its best to make sure to toast raw oats and nuts before using them in your baking.
Also toasting them gives a great flavor complexity to the bar which we definitely want!
What is your favorite snack to send in with the kids? I love to mix it up so the kids don't get bored and are likely to actually eat what you send in, so when we aren't having granola bars we will have some muffins, some little bliss balls or some homemade applesauce.
Happy eating.
xx
Recipe
Honey Almond and Tahini Healthy No Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats see notes
- 1 cup raw, unsalted almonds
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ cup raw honey
- ½ cup tahini
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup dried cranberries (look for unsweetened)
- 1 ½ cups puffed brown rice cereal
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F and line a brownie pan with parchment paper
- Pop the oats on one half of the pan and the almonds on the other half. Bake for about 12 minutes, stirring once about halfway through (and keeping the oats and almonds as separate as possible). Once toasted, remove from the oven and allow to cool. Once cooled, roughly chop the almonds.
- In a small saucepan melt the coconut oil over a low heat. Add in the honey, tahini, and vanilla and whisk until combined and runny.
- In a large bowl combine the oats, almonds, dried fruit, cereal, and salt. Add in the wet ingredients and give everything a good stir until well combined. You will want to do this quickly.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared brownie pan. Wet your hands and press the mixture firmly into the pan, paying attention to the edges and corners. Pop into the fridge and allow to set for a couple of hours. Once set, remove from the fridge and cut into 14 bars.
- Storage: store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I like to wrap mine individually in beeswax for an on the go snack.
Martha Sedmera says
I have a question: How big is a brownie pan? 8x8 or 13x9?
Donna says
Hi Martha, the one I use is 13x9. You can use a 8x8 pan as well, your bars will just be slightly thicker.
Denice says
Loved the granola bar and thumbs up from the kids! Appreciate a nut less option that the kids can bring to school! One question: I added less honey, maybe ~ 1/4 cup and found it already plenty sweet. I had a problem with the bar crumbling and falling apart, not sure if it was due to the decrease honey since I assume the honey acts somewhat as a binding agent. Any ideas on how to hold it together in bar form with less honey? Thanks!
Donna says
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Denice! Yes the honey is what holds the bar together, I have had the same problem with crumbling when using less. You could try and replace the extra honey with some almond butter, or more tahini, or even mash up a banana and include that as a binding agent instead?
Jen says
Do you have any suggestions for substitutions for the rice cereal? Can I leave it out?
Donna says
Hey Jen, you can leave it out but you might want to replace it with some extra oats, nuts or seeds, otherwise, the mixture might be a bit too gooey to set. Enjoy
Tina says
Wow! I’m always looking for a great grab and go snack for the kids and I. The toasting gives great depth of flavor and I love that there is a batch now and one for later! This recipe is a big win!
Dana says
I looooove homemade snacks like these! When you can control everything from the nut variations, fruits, flavors, and how much sweetness goes in there, they taste so much better than store-bought. Sometimes I'm bad with eating lunch too late because I just get so caught up in work. These will be the perfect little snack to have between breakfast and late lunch!
Donna says
I am the same with lunch, it can get to 2pm and suddenly I realize I am completely starving!! It's nice to have healthier snacks on hand so I don't crave the bad stuff.
Marisa Franca says
I agree with toasting oatmeal and nuts before using them -- it enhances the flavor. It's super smart to make double batches -- that way you can freeze and save later. Having home made granola bars is great as a snack and a pick-me-up. I'm pinning this recipe.
Donna says
It really makes such a difference to the flavor doesn't it!
Amanda says
What a great idea to make your own granola bars at home for a healthy and portable snack. I love that you used tahini in them. I've never had tahini with granola before and it must add such a great flavor with the toasted oats and nuts. Snacking done right!
Donna says
Tahini is so good in granola bars, and it means if the kids go to a nut-free school they can still have a yummy granola bar 🙂
Emily says
How long can they last unrefridgerated? Bringing some camping 🙂
Donna says
Hmmm I haven't tried leaving them unrefrigerated for long periods of time so I can't give you an exact time. But if you keep them in a cooler with some ice they should hold together for a couple of days. Even if they fall apart they will still taste delicious, just serve them in a bowl to catch the crumbs. Enjoy camping!!
Stef says
Interesting! I never thought about toasting the oats and nuts before putting them in granola bars. I'll have to try that. I've also never used tahini in granola bars and I have some in the fridge! I'm feeling inspired!
Donna says
Oh you have to try it Stef, it really brings out a great warm nutty taste in them!
Debra says
Love this healthy granola bar recipe. It's nice to see tahini for a change from nut butters. I like it's nutritional profile. I'm going to take your suggestion and make the double batch. How nice it would be to see these in the freezer all wrapped and ready to go.
Donna says
I know, its such a nice feeling knowing I have a whole stack of healthier snacks ready and waiting in the freezer!
Sarah says
YES I am looking for snacks! (But... for me. Lol) I love that you freeze these- I'm trying to reclaim my freezer space and start freezing more dinner and snack options. These look perfect!
Donna says
Oh these are definitely for me just as much as they are for the kids 🙂
Tracy Koslicki says
YES! How did you know I was looking for a good no bake granola recipe?! And one that can be put in the freezer for the next week? Perfect. I LOVE the tahini in them, too!!
Donna says
Must be psychic 🙂
Carmy says
I love a delicious no bake bar! I'm definitely a fan of toasting the oats & nuts first since the extra layer of flavour is totally worth the extra effort. I'll have to make a batch for my partner's upcoming mini road trip!
Donna says
Such a great road trip snack!!
Amanda says
My daughter needs a snack for school now because the lunch for her class is set for so late in the day. I try and make sure she has something healthy for her snack, so I will definitely be making these to add to her lunchbox.
Donna says
Mine have been loving having them in their lunches! And although they don't go to a nut-free school I always feel a little bit better sending them with something other kids don't have to worry about.
Tina says
This is great! I can tell the coconut and tahini combo is going to be fantastic, definitely will have to try this. I love a healthier version, it makes up for the times I'm bad ;P
Donna says
Exactly right 🙂 Everything in moderation!
Gloria says
I love making no-bake granola bars. So much healthier than store bought. Perfect for snacking, or lunch. Great for on the go eating. My husband would love these for sure. He always asks me to make granola bars.
Donna says
Ha, it's always my husband asking for them as well!