These no-bake peanut butter pretzel granola bars have the most delicious sweet and salty flavour!

A no-bake pretzel granola bar sitting on a piece of parchment paper. There are more bars in the background.

These delicious no-bake granola bars made a great alternative to store-bought energy bars. All you need to make them is dates, almonds, peanut butter and pretzels and there’s no finicky baking involved.

They can be pressed into bars, rolled into balls or even left crumbled for a raw granola that’s delicious on smoothie bowls, yogurt or ice cream.

These are fun to make and even more fun to eat. They’re great for kids, snacking on-the-go, dessert and meal prep. Make the recipe as is or add chocolate chips for an extra treat and enjoy!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • Just 4 ingredients needed!
  • No baking required.
  • Perfect for a healthier snack or homemade dessert anytime.
  • Vegan with no added sugar and can be made gluten-free.
  • Sweet and salty flavour with a delicious crunch from the pretzels.

Ingredient Notes

Dates, peanut butter and crushed almonds in a food processor.

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

  • Almonds: Use raw almonds with no added oil or salt. You can substitute peanuts or cashews.
  • Dates: Any variety of date works as long as they’re soft and moist. If your dates are overly dry or you’re not sure, soak them pitted in hot water for 15 minutes then drain before using in the recipe.
  • Peanut Butter: Use natural peanut butter or substitute any other nut or seed butter such as tahini or almond butter.
  • Pretzels: Any variety of small, crunchy pretzels works. Look for gluten-free pretzels to make these bars gluten-free.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the almonds to a food processor and blend until they’re broken down into a grainy flour.

Almonds blended into a grainy flour in a food processor.

Step 2: Add the peanut butter and dates and process again until you have a thick, sticky dough. You could be able to press the dough into a little ball between your fingers or it may clump up into one big ball as it blends.

Quick Tip: If the dough isn’t clumping up in to a big, sticky ball, add 1-2 tbsp warm water and process again.

Thick, sticky, no-bake energy bar dough with dates, peanut butter and almonds in food processor.

Step 3: Add the pretzels and pulse a few times to mix them in. If you’re adding anything like chocolate chips, cacao nibs or raisins, add those now as well.

Raw energy bar dough with pretzels mixed into it in a food processor.

Step 4: Firmly press the dough into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan, taking a few minutes to really press it down until flat and even. Transfer the pan to the freezer for an hour to firm.

Quick Tip: Use wet hands to smooth the surface of the bars.

Pretzel granola bars in a square pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 5: Lift the bars out of the pan and slice into portions.

You can make 8 granola bars or 16 squares.

No-bake pretzel granola bars sliced into 8 portions on a square of parchment paper.

Recipe Tips

  • It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are dry, you’ll need to soak them first to soften. Simply place in a bowl of hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before use. 
  • For an added treat, add up to 1/2 cup chocolate chips or spread melted chocolate or homemade chocolate ganache over the bars before freezing.
  • Other add-ins that work are raisins, cranberries, white chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Mix and match up to 1/2 cup total.
Close up of the edge of a large square of no-bake pretzel granola bars.

Storing Instructions

  • Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezer: Store in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 4 months.
  • The bars are ok at room temperature if you’re taking them to-go but try to keep cool if possible as they’ll get soft if it’s warm.

3 pretzel granola bars on parchment paper. One has a bite taken out of it.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A no-bake pretzel granola bar sitting on a piece of parchment paper. There are more bars in the background.

Sweet n’ Salty No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 bars
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: Amercian
  • Diet: Vegan
Save Recipe

Description

You only need 4 simple ingredients to make these sweet, salty, crunchy and chewy peanut butter energy bars! There is no baking required, they’re vegan and they can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free pretzels.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw almonds (150 g)
  • 1 cup packed, soft pitted dates (220 g)
  • 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (80 g)
  • 1 1/4 cup crushed pretzels

Instructions

  1. Place the almonds in a food processor and mix until they’re broken down into very small pieces, almost into a flour.
  2. Add the dates and peanut butter and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough you can press between your fingers. If it seems too crumbly, add 1-2 tbsp warm water and blend again.
  3. Crush the pretzels and then add them in, pulsing just enough to mix them through. Or you can just stir them through with a spoon or your hands. 
  4. Line a 7 or 8-inch square parchment paper then press the dough firmly into the pan taking a few moments to flatten it and firmly press it into all corners.
  5. Place the bars in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm.
  6. Once they’re ready, lift out of the pan, cut into bars and enjoy! 

Notes

It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipes. If your dates are dry, you’ll need to soak them first to soften. Simply place in a bowl of hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before use.