It appears I’m on a granola bar kick this week.
and I can’t be stopped.
But I didn’t think you’d mind too much?
Experimenting with granola bar recipes (and flavours) is one of my favourite things to do. It’s rare that I don’t have a bar tucked away in my purse for “emergencies”. You know, hangry attacks! Eric went so crazy for these bars he insisted I post the recipe on the blog RIGHT THIS SECOND so who am I to argue? I imagine that I’ll be making these a lot over the summer and stashing them in the freezer over the next several months. That’s if we can keep our paws off them for that long (unlikely, really).
Much like my Feel Good Hearty Granola Bars, these bars are also lower in sugar than most (5.8 grams per bar). This time I used just 1/4 cup of coconut nectar syrup which is a fruity-tasting low-glycemic sweetener. It doesn’t seem to give me sugar crashes like regular cane sugar does. Due to its fruity flavour, I don’t find it works in all recipes. For instance, it’s not my favourite sweetener in some chocolate recipes, but in granola or fruit-based recipes it tends to always blend in nicely.
The only caveat with this recipe is that the bars don’t hold together perfectly, so I recommend storing them in the fridge and not letting them sit at room temperature. Best to take one straight from the fridge and stuff it in the face! It’s a hard task, I know. They definitely aren’t “travel” bars (unless you don’t mind it turning into loose granola at room temp).
Oh and for the record, I did try baking a batch in the oven for curiosity’s sake and the no-bake version won by a landslide. The baked bars held together a teeny tiny bit better, but they tasted less sweet and a bit bland. I don’t think it’s worth the extra time or oven heat, personally.
Like most granola bar recipes, this one is versatile so be sure to let me know what flavours you come up with in the comment section. Think we can come up with 52 flavours, or what?
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No-Bake Almond Joy Granola Bars
Yield
14 small bars
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
10 minutes
Total time
Easy no-bake granola bars inspired by the popular Almond Joy Chocolate bar flavour. Roasted almond butter, mini chocolate chips, and coconut unite to create one tasty bar that's whipped up in 10 minutes (no oven required!). Recipe adapted from Yummy Mummy.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if necessary)
- 1 cup rice crisp cereal
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup roasted almond butter
- 1/4 cup coconut nectar syrup (or brown rice syrup - see note)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of fine grain sea salt or pink Himalayan salt, to taste
- 1.5 tablespoons non-dairy mini chocolate chips (such as Enjoy Life brand, optional)
Directions
- Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with two pieces of parchment paper, one going each way so it's easy to lift out.
- In a large bowl, stir together the oats, rice crisp cereal, sliced almonds, coconut, and chia seeds.
- In a medium pot over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Remove from heat and stir in the almond butter, coconut nectar, and vanilla, until smooth.
- Pour wet mixture over dry and stir well until thoroughly combined. Add a pinch of salt to taste and stir again.
- Spoon mixture into the pan and roughly spread out (but don't pack down yet). Sprinkle on the chocolate chips in an even layer. Wet hands lightly and then press down the mixture until even. Use a pastry roller to roll it out and pack it in even more.
- Transfer pan to the freezer for about 10 minutes until firm. Slice into bars, wrap, and store in the fridge or freezer. These bars fall apart easily so I don't recommend leaving them at room temperature for longer than a few minutes.
Tip:
I do not recommend swapping the coconut nectar or brown rice syrup for any other liquid sweetener. Other sweeteners won't be sticky enough to bind the bars.
I am ALWAYS on a granola kick, I absolutely never tire of cereal! It is the perfect post run meal for me in the mornings. Full of carbohydrates, pairs wonderfully with almond milk to make my bones nice and strong, and delightfully sweet! You added chocolate chips to these bars which makes them even more special! 80 miles a week means lots of snacks, and granola bars fill that requirement perfectly! YUM!
Looks delicious! And much healthier than the traditional bars, too! :)
almond joys were one of my favorite candy bars growing up,so i am all about these bars. i actually love keeping granola and bars in the fridge!
Wow, I love the sound of these no bake bars! I have a bag of chia seeds just waiting to be opened, I’m adding this to my list. Maybe for the long weekend :)
I wholeheartedly support your granola bar theme this week.
do you have any recipes for roasted coconut chips? like the ones from trader Joes? would love to make them myself but can’t find a good recipe!
Hey Bailey, What are the ingredients on the package? Maybe I can come up with something!
http://bit.ly/1r2cKpM
that would be awesome, I live off your cookbook! here is a link to them and the ingredients are listed in this order: coconut, salt, sugar, coconut milk, coconut juice
idk
Can Spirulina be on of the 52 Flavors?
Guess I should have took the clue about being open about business opportunities’ or even wanting a friendship with certain people. Oh well I tried Just thought you were different…
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m not quite sure what you are referring to in your last comment. I’m sorry if I offended you in any way.
Spirulina sounds like a fun variation…green monster bars maybe?
So looking forward to trying this recipe. Thank you for your posts they are helping me and my family eat healthier!
I share your exact sentiments on the emergency purse stash and hanger pains- ha! I love the Glo Bars from your book and can’t wait to try this version out.
Angela – do you use coconut oil to replace butter/vegan spread? I have a slight allergy to coconut and am wondering if Earth Balance or the like would work in its place in recipes such as this one…
Hi Katie, Good question! The coconut oil actually helps firm up the bars when chilled, so I’m not sure if vegan butter would be a good sub. It would take some playing around with most likely.
These look insanely delicious! Between these and your other recent bar recipe I’m gonna be rolling in bars!!!
Oh my goodness, these look heavenly! I can’t wait to make these bad boys!
Homemade granola bars are one of my favorite snacks and I love trying new flavors. This one sounds just delightful. Thanks for sharing (right this second)!
That’s it, I’m making my own granola bars this weekend. I’ve been putting it off long enough.
How about pistachio and mocha granola bars? It was my favourite ice cream flavour combo when I was a kid :)
Anything that require doing less….is best in my book…so no baking….gets a big thumbs up from me!!
vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
I really enjoy Almond Joy while growing up and I like how you created a healthy granola version! These look so delicious! What a perfect snack to take on the go!
One of my favorite smoothie recipes these days has blueberries, mango and cayenne pepper in it. I wonder if doing dried mango and blueberries with a dash of cayenne pepper in these bars would be pretty good?! Maybe even subbing the almond butter for cashew butter, making it extra tropical!
Your photos always make me want to eat everything.
Alana, I’ve had that exact thought many times after seeing Angela’s photos! Your comment was so right on… probably for a lot of us! :)
Hi Angela.
I wondered if these would hold together without the crisp rice cereal?. Thanks for all of your amazing recipes!
In my experience, brown rice syrup might as well be glue (though far superior in taste, I can only assume…). Everything I’ve made with it holds together like nobody’s business. I don’t have, nor have I ever come across coconut nectar, so I’m hoping the brown rice syrup sub will work out and hold them together nicely :) I need to go on a granola bar-making frenzy this weekend! This stage of my pregnancy (week 9/10) has me INSANELY hungry, and very suddenly. One minute I’m fine, the next minute I would eat dirt I’m that starved. Granola bars>dirt. Thanks for the inspiration, as always.
yes it is like glue! That’s why I use it in my Glo bar recipes. Im sure it would work no problem :)
Congrats on your pregnancy by the way!
Are there any other substitutions for brown rice syrup or coconut nectar? I’m not familiar with either. Is Agave sticky enough? Thank you. Love your recipes and share them frequently!
Hi Kelly,
In my experience, agave isn’t sticky enough to bind granola bars. You can certainly use it, but the bars will fall apart.
Thanks Angela. I’ll go out and purchase brown rice syrup because these look so good!
I can’t find where I asked you a question before about the granola bars I made and they fell apart, you asked if I substituted the brown rice syrup and at the time I couldn’t find it in the store so I used maple syrup. I have since found brown rice syrup( sure is sticky) and used it in the recipe and the granola bars turned out perfect..thanks for the advice