Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Rolled oats are generally preferred for granola bars as they hold their shape and give a nice texture. Quick oats might become a bit mushy. But hey, if that's what you have on hand, give it a shot and see how it turns out!

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This granola recipe is gluten-free, but ensure that the oats are certified gluten-free oats and haven't been contaminated through processing in a facility that handles gluten-containing foods.

My mixture seems too dry/wet. What do I do?

When mixing everything together, the batter should be cohesive and slightly sticky but not overly wet. If it's too dry, add more wet ingredients like the syrup, a tablespoon at a time. If it is too wet, add more dry ingredients like oats or seeds to reach the desired consistency.

Can I make these bars without baking?

You can chill the mixture in the fridge for a few hours instead of baking. The texture may be softer but still delicious.

Classic Vegan Granola Bars

Description

This quick, crunchy, classic homemade vegan granola bar recipe combines wholesome oats, nuts, and fruits into a fantastic treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds (chopped)
1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup cranberries (or raisins)

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup brown rice syrup (or date syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Ingredients

1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
sea salt (optional)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional for drizzling over the top)

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Instructions

Preperation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan or a 6x8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the syrup, creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
Heat the mixture: Place the mixture in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Stir and heat again (if necessary) until you get a thin consistency that is easy to mix.
Add the dry ingredients: Add the rolled oats, chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, shredded coconut, and cranberries to the warmed mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated and well combined. It should be sticky but not wet.
Add the chocolate chips: (optional) When the mixture cools down, fold in the vegan chocolate chips if using.
Transfer the mixture: Place the mixture in a prepared baking pan and cover with parchment paper. Press down firmly with the back of a spoon, spatula, or the bottom of a cup to compress the granola mixture tightly.
Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove and let cool.
Optional melted chocolate and sea salt: After the granola has cooled (and before slicing), melt ¼ cup of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl until runny to drizzle over the bars. When the granola bars cool completely, drizzle the chocolate over the bars with a spoon or spatula. Add sea salt over the top if desired.
Refrigerate: Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Remove from refrigerator and slice: Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. See the post for other storage options.

Notes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. Use a nutritional app like Cronometer to get information on the exact ingredients and amounts you are using. The estimates for the nutrition profile include chocolate chips, cranberries, and chocolate drizzle for the top.

See the post for variations and substitutions.

Oats themselves don't contain gluten, but the reason they might not always be considered gluten-free has to do with how they're processed and where they're grown. So check your package to make sure they are gluten-free if necessary.

When melting chocolate in the microwave, stop it every 40 seconds and stir until you get a runny consistency. Chocolate will burn in the microwave, so watch it carefully.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: breakfast, snack
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 394
Sugar: 22
Sodium: 173
Fat: 23
Saturated Fat: 6
Carbohydrates: 44
Fiber: 5
Protein: 10
Cholesterol: 0 mg