These homemade granola bars are so simple and easy yet so delicious. You will never want to buy store-bought granola bars again. Packed with creamy peanut butter, gluten-free oats, and naturally sweetened with honey these are the perfect treat that is still somewhat healthy.
I am always looking for recipes that can be made with and for my kids that I feel good about them eating. My oldest is almost three and loves to cook with me. Cooking teaches kids so many great lessons so I love having her help me in the kitchen.
From measuring and counting to fine motor skills like scooping, and pouring they are learning great lessons and having fun doing it. This recipe is perfect for kids to help make as it is quick, easy, and there are lots of things for them to help with.
I would highly suggest anyone who cooks with kids either makes or invests in a kitchen helper stool. My husband made my daughter one and it is one of our favorite items we own. She uses it daily and it is perfect for helping me in the kitchen.
Tips for Success
*I like to use natural peanut butter when making these as it lowers the sugar count and makes them healthier. Our favorite is Skippy Natural Creamy Peanut Butter as I never have problems with the oil separating like other natural peanut butter.
*You can buy flaxseed in two different forms for this recipe; whole flaxseed or ground flaxseed. I prefer to use whole flaxseed as it gives the granola bars just a little bit of crunch. However, if you are not a fan of the texture of whole flaxseed you can also substitute it for ground flaxseed.
*If you feel like adding in dried fruits, nuts, or even Rice Krispy cereal you can add 1/2 cup in when you are mixing in the oats. They will still hold their shape and stick together well.
*To make these granola bars dairy-free make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips. Our favorites are the Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips. They are also the perfect size since they are mini chocolate chips.
*In order to ensure that chocolate chips hold their shape be sure to stick the oat mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow the mixture to cool off. If you don’t do this the chocolate chips will melt into the bars.
*To ensure freshness store in the refrigerator if you are planning on eating them within a week or so. I also like to individually wrap granola bars in glad press and seal and store them in a gallon-size bag in the freezer. They are perfect to just pull out and pop in lunch boxes or backpacks for school snacks.
Dairy and Gluten Free Homemade Granola Bars
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free oats
- 1/4 cup flax seed
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (we like Enjoy Life brand)
- (Optional) 1/2 cup additional add-in of choice from dried fruits, nuts, Rice Krispy cereal, etc…
Directions:
- Grease a 9×9 in pan and set aside
- In a large mixing bowl add the gluten-free oats, flaxseed, and optional mix-in of choice and stir. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan add peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. Heat to a simmer stirring constantly. Simmer for an additional minute and remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla and salt.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats mixture and stir together.
- Put the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes to allow it to cool off.
- Remove from fridge and stir in dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Press into the prepared pan. Put back into the refrigerator and chill until hardened (30 minutes or more).
- Cut into granola bar shapes.
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Servings: 12-14
*If you’re looking for more gluten and dairy-free chocolate peanut butter sweets be sure to also check out my chocolate peanut butter blossom cookies!
These look amazing!
Thanks so much Danielle. They definitely were!
These look deliciously soft and chewy!
Thanks so much Tonya! Yes, so soft and chewy!
These Gluten Free granola bars are easy and healthy. Better than those store bought ones.
Thanks so much! Yes, so much better!
Your goodies always look so delicious. Can’t wait to add this to my rotation and see what the family thinks.
Thanks so much Amber. We love sweets in our house! I hope you like them!
Looks so delicious. Great post and thanks for the recipe.
Thanks so much Matthew. They were so good!
These look awesome will be trying them this weekend thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Svetlana. I hope you enjoy them!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to give them a try
Thanks so much Kachina!
Yum! These look delicious! I can’t wait to try making them!
Thanks so much Ally!
I love granola, but stopped eating them because of the sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. I’m excited to make this and enjoy it.
Thanks so much Ally! Yes these are great because you know exactly what is in them!
This was so good! I used toasted shredded coconut because I didn’t have coconut oil, but it was still so good. I used ground flaxseed. I also rolled half of them into little bite-size balls then store them in the freezer. They taste very good when frozen.
Thanks so much Collette! I am so glad you like them. Those sound like some great substitutions! We love freezing them and using for lunches later in the week. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’ve been wanting to try out making my own granola bars, and these look perfect! Great recipe!
Thanks so much Arica! Making your own is the best!
These look great! My husband is GF, so I’m always looking for new snack ideas.
Thanks so much! Mine is as well. That is why we eat mostly GF in our house!
These look delicious and healthy, I’m going to try these for pre workout snack. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Sara! I hope you like them!
My girlfriend is going to love this!
Thanks Gustavo! I hope she likes them!
These looks delicious! Will definitely add to the recipes for our family to try! Ingredients are available in the pantry! Thanks for sharing! I’m all for GF and Non-dairy! Will bookmark this site!
Thanks so much Jordan! Yes, we eat mostly gluten and dairy free at our house. My favorite meals and snacks are ones that we have all the ingredients on hand for!