Chia Seed Granola Bars
on Mar 15, 2015, Updated Feb 24, 2025
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These no-bake vegan chocolate chip chia seed granola bars are easy to make in one bowl with just 6 simple ingredients.
About the Recipe
Here are a few reasons to love these chia granola bars:
- Vegan and gluten-free recipe.
- Refined sugar-free.
- Can be made nut-free.
- 1-bowl recipe.
- No blending needed.
- 6 simple ingredients.
- No baking.
You can also use chia seeds in these No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Chia Seed Bars, No-Bake Homemade Energy Bars and No-Bake Chocolate Chia Energy Bars.
Ingredient Notes
Here are a few notes on the ingredients you’ll need and any possible substitutions. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements.
- Oats: Quick oats work best in this recipe because they’re a bit finer and hold together easier. You can use rolled oats or old-fashioned oats if needed or even give them a quick pulse in a food processor to help break them down into a quick oat consistency.
- Peanut Butter: You can use any nut or seed butter like peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- Chocolate Chips: Use dairy-free chocolate chips like Enjoy Life or Camino for vegan bars. Use dark chocolate for a lower sugar option or sugar-free chocolate chips like Lily’s if preferred.
- Coconut Oil: This is essential to the recipe and can’t be omitted.
- Maple Syrup: You can use agave syrup or brown rice syrup if preferred.
- Chia Seeds: For crunch, binding and nutrition! White or black chia seeds work.
How to Make Chia Seed Granola Bars
This is a very simple no-bake recipe and doesn’t even require blending! Simply mix everything up, press into a ban, chill, then slice. Below is a visual of how the mixture should look in the bowl and pan.
Step 1. Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and use a spoon to mix until it’s uniformly combined into a crumbly dough.
Step 2. Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the edges of the paper stick out over the sides of the pan.
Firmly press the dough into the pan, taking a few minutes to really work it into the corners and get it nice and flat. This will ensure they hold together well
Place the entire pan in the freezer for at least 30 minutes then use the parchment paper to lift out the pan. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
These need to be kept cold to hold together properly. They’re okay at room temperature for a while but as the coconut oil starts to melt they won’t hold together very well, it will stay in bar form but be a little crumbly as you eat it. They’re absolutely awesome straight from the fridge or freezer, so stick to that for best results!
You can store the bars for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or for 3 months in the freezer in a heavy duty freezer bag or container.
Chia Seed Granola Bars
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix well until thoroughly combined into a crumbly dough.
- Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the edges stick out over the sides of the pan and then firmly press the mixture into the pan. Spend a few minutes really pressing it in there, this will help them hold together properly once they're done.
- Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the edges of the parchment paper and slice into 10 bars.
I made these with coconut butter instead of oil, and they are *fantastic*! Thank you for the recipe.
Did they stay together? Vsheavenly68@yahoo.com
Thank you for this recipe! Now I don’t have to feel guilty about eating chocolate. 😀 Plus, we don’t have an oven so this is perfect, thank you! And chia seeds, yes please!
We love how simple the ingredient list is. And no bake?! You can’t beat it! Excited to try these!
I love using chia seeds in recipes! These bars sound so simple and delicious.
I am unable to find GF oats in my town here in Cen.Am. I am wondering if cooked quinoa would be a good sub? Also, any suggestions for veggie add in’s to punch up the nutrition.
Hopped over here from Gena’s weekend reading round up, and I ever glad she shined a spotlight on this recipe. I’m currently without an oven, so I’m thrilled to find a healthy sweet treat I can still make! I just need to get coconut oil and I’m in business.
This is a great & simple recipe! I am currently following a low sugar diet.. Could I use honey instead of maple syrup.. or coconut nectar? Any suggestions? Thanks! 🙂
I want to know if I can use honey, too.
That should work fine. Thanks!
Love adding chai seeds to my smoothies because of all the reasons you listed! This will be great when I don’t feel like drinking my breakfast… and plus chocolate!
THESE LOOK SO GOOD!!!!
Mmmmm!