Chocolate Chip No-Bake Granola Bars
These no-bake chocolate chip granola vegan are nut-free and gluten-free so anyone can enjoy for a healthy snack or dessert.
Features
- dietary needs: vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and nut-free
- quick and easy: you’ll need 6 ingredients, 10 minutes, a food processor and a pan
Ingredients Notes
- sunflower seeds – seeds and tahini make these bars nut-free, however, feel free to sub the seeds with almonds or cashews
- rolled oats – rolled oats or quick oats are suitable here
- tahini – the tahini gives the bar an interesteing taste and pairs well with the raisins but it can be substituted with almond butter or peanut butter
- maple syrup – adds a little extra sweetness to the bars, sub with agave
- raisins – raisins are a readily available and inexpensive alternative to dates…but you can also use dates in this recipe
- dairy-free chocolate chips – I like Enjoy Life, chopped dark chocolate also works here
Step by Step Method
Step 1. Add the raisins to the food processor first and process them for a bit to let them break down into a crumbly, sticky consistency.
Quick Tip: If your raisins are overly dry, I’d recommend soaking them in hot water for 15 minutes and then draining before using them in this recipe.
Step 2. Add everything but the chocolate chips and blend until it forms a thick, sticky dough.
Step3. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix them in.
Step 4. Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so it sticks out over the edges of the pan, then firmly press the dough into the pan. Place the entire pan in the freezer for about an hour until firm.
Quick Tip: Take a few minutes to really press the dough in, especially working it into the corners. This will ensure a firm, solid bar when they’re done!
Remove from the freezer, lift out the pan, slice into bars and enjoy!
Storing
- Fridge: In an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: In an airtight container for freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Room Temperature: I recommend storing the fridge or freezer, however, they’re ok at room temp for a few days if needed ie. in a lunchbox, camping, hiking, road trips. Keep cool if possible.
Related Recipes
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Chia Energy Bars
- No-Bake Apricot Granola Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Chia Seed Bars
- Vegan Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Bars
Did you try this recipe?
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I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review and be sure to tag me @runningonrealfood if you post it on social media.
Chocolate Chip No-Bake Granola Bars
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These soft and chewy, no-bake granola bars are made with just basic, inexpensive ingredients. Perfect for dessert, energy on the go or a pre-workout snack. Nut-free and gluten-free!
Ingredients
- 2 cups soft, moist thompson raisins
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 2 cups rolled or quick oats (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the rainins in a food processor and mix until they start to break down into a crumbly, sticky mixture.
- Add everything else, except the chocolate chips and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough.
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix them in.
- Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper or saran wrap so it sticks out over the edges of the pan.
- Press the dough into the pan until flat, spending a few minutes to firmly press it down and work it into the corners.
- Place in the fridge for about an hour to firm.
- Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out the pan then slice into 10 portions.
Notes
Raisins: If raisins are overly dry, soak in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before use.
Substitutions: Tahini can be substituted with almond or peanut butter. Sunflower seeds can be substituted with almonds, cashews or walnuts. Raisins can be substituted with soft, pitted dates.
Storing: In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend storing the fridge or freezer, however, they’re ok at room temp for a few days if needed ie. in a lunchbox, camping, hiking, road trips. Keep cool if possible.
Keywords: no-bake granola bars, nut-free granola bars
These are lush but how long will they keep in the fridge for?
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Up to 2 weeks but you can also freeze for 3 months and enjoy straight from the freezer.
I love this recipe! I didn’t have raw sunflower seeds, but did have some unsalted roasted sunflower seeds which I used. I also added 1/2 C. unsweetened coconut shreds, and it was great!
Hi! Looks great! Could I use steel cut oats?
Not in this recipe, no. You can use quick oats, rolled/old fashioned oats or large flake oats.
I did not use tahini but the peanut putter I had (creamy jiffy) and these are amazing!! So simple to put together and they not only taste great but fill you up. My 2 year old loves them ans soon my 8 year old will too!
Awesome! They’re great with PB! So happy to hear you enjoyed them. Thanks for the message!
Do these need to be kept in the refrigerator until eaten or can they be packed in lunches?
These do best stored in the fridge but are fine packed in a lunch, the’ll just be a little soft. I’d recommend storing them in the freezer so they’re firmer when you pack them. They’re totally fine out of the fridge/freezer until lunch time, as long as they’re not sitting in the sun for hours!
Could you use dates instead of raisins?
Yep! Enjoy.
Also thank you for featuring a recipe without needing a pile of chopped dates! I used to always wonder, “Why can’t I just sub out for ANY dried fruit? Why do these kind of recipes always call for dates?” Thanks again
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You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy them if you try the recipe!
These look so amazing! And a nice alternative to nuts. Reminds me of my some of my favorite granola bars!
https://audrasappetite.com/pb-choc-chip-no-bake-granola-bars/
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I think that you ought to write
more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t discuss these topics.
To the next! Kind regards!!
Thanks for sharing this great recipe! Its great to find a vegan snack that looks delicious and tasty too!
These look fabulous!!!! Shared on facebook for all our personal trainers !!
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These granola bars look super yummy! I love the idea of using tahini in place of nut butter!
I’ve been looking for a homemade alternative for healthy granola bars that I can bring with me on long runs. I love all of these ingredients. Thanks for the recipe!
Oh, thank you for finally making a healthy wholesome bar recipe without nuts! Far too many times I click on a recipe and find out they’re absolutely full of nuts. While I like nuts…I’d rather have a bar without them. Or any dessert without them, really!