No Bake Granola Bars

These no bake granola bars are so easy to make and there’s no need to heat up your house with the oven! Granola bars from the store are full of processed ingredients that are not so good for you. These granola bars are made with all real ingredients and are equally delicious!

You can whip these up in less than ten minutes and have them ready for your kids the next morning. They make great school snacks or a quick breakfast for you. With filling, wholesome ingredients, these no bake granola bars will give you energy while also satisfying those salty/sweet cravings!

What is in a no bake granola bar?

• Rolled oats
• Peanut butter
• Butter
• Honey
• Raisins
• Salt

That’s it! These no bake granola bars are lightly sweetened with honey instead of white sugar. The raisins also give them a little bit more sweetness.

All of these ingredients are inexpensive pantry staples, making this a great frugal and healthy snack for your kids, or you! We eat these as a quick snack in the morning before I fix breakfast. They also make a great after nap time snack.

Why so much butter? Butter, unlike seed oils, isn’t inflammatory for most people. It’s also chock full of vitamin A. Bonus points if you can use grass fed butter! Coconut oil can be swapped for the butter and is also an excellent healthy, anti-inflammatory option.

Try to avoid margarine for this recipe if possible. Margarine is made by combining a few different vegetable and seed oils. Most also contain coloring. While there is a lot of butter in this recipe, I don’t mind because I know it’s better for us than more processed options. Also, butter is delicious!

Ingredient Swaps:

This recipe is fairly versatile. Many of the ingredients can be swapped. Except for the oats of course! The butter can be swapped for coconut oil if you would rather a dairy free version. You do want a fat that is solid at room temp though.

The honey can be replaced with maple syrup, although it will change the flavor just a bit. But, if you like maple, go for it! You can add chocolate chips to this recipe, but it has to be after the mixture has cooled, otherwise they will melt and make a big mess. Melted chocolate over the top of these granola bars would be a delicious addition!

Peanut butter could be swapped for almond butter or sunflower butter if you prefer! You can make this recipe what you want, just make sure to keep the oats and the fat in the recipe.

What do I need to make this recipe?

• A medium to large, heavy bottomed cooking pot such as an enamel dutch oven
• Spoon for mixing
• Parchment paper
• 2 glass 8×8 baking dishes or an 8×11 baking dish

How do I make no bake granola bars?

These no bake granola bars are made by melting the butter, honey and peanut butter together. After they simmer for about two minutes, you remove your pot from the stove and let cool slightly. Then you add in the oats and raisins until most of the liquid is soaked up in the oats.

You then pour the mixture into a parchment paper lined dish, pressing the mixture evenly into the dish until firm. The last step is to place the granola bars into your fridge for two hours to set. Then it’s time to cut and eat them!

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Ingredients

• 2 sticks of butter

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1 tsp. fine salt (mineral or sea salt)

• 3/4 cup raisins

• 4. 5 cups rolled oats

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Directions

• Start by melting your butter in a stock pot. Once melted, add in the honey and peanut butter.
• Once all is incorporated, add the salt and let simmer for about two minutes. You want it to almost caramelize.
• Remove pot from the stove and let cool slightly. Add in the oats, one cup at a time. Once the oats have soaked up most of the liquid, fold in the raisins.
• Press the mixture into a parchment lined dish, either two 8×8’s or an 8×11. Press down firmly with a spoon or spatula.
• Place in the fridge to set for two hours before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

How long will these last?

You can keep these granola bars in the fridge for about a week. They do need to stay cool, or they will crumble.

Can I freeze these granola bars? I haven’t before, but I don’t see why not!

I hope you enjoy these easy no bake granola bars for yourself! My kids ask for them almost weekly. I never mind whipping them up if it means they aren’t asking for junk food! If you want another quick and delicious recipe, check out these double chocolate zucchini muffins here!