Happy Nut Day! No, I’m not nuts- today is actually National Nut Day! And it just happens to coincide with this month’s Recipe Redux post day so we were all challenged to share a healthy nut-filled recipe.
I love using nuts in all forms in my recipes- whole, sliced, chopped, nut butter, you name it! They are actually one of the most nutritious snacks you can eat and are packed with many beneficial nutrients including heart-healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
These nutty, no-bake granola bars are packed with nutrition and flavor!
- 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats*
- 1 cup puffed rice cereal, preferably brown rice
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil or unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dried cherries, chopped
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
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Line an 8x8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, letting the ends hang over the sides of the dish.
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Mix the oats, rice cereal, almonds and flaxseed together in a bowl.
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Heat the sugar, honey and coconut oil in a large saucepan on the stove, stirring often until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil then lower to a simmer. Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt.
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Pour the oat mixture into the saucepan. Using a spatula, stir to combine all of the ingredients well. Stir in the cherries.
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Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and press it down into the pan, packing it in firmly (packing it in tightly will ensure that the bars don’t fall apart). Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top and press them lightly into the granola mixture.
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Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours. Remove the granola mixture from the dish, using the parchment paper to pull it out of the dish. Place it on a cutting board and cut it into 12 bars with a sharp knife. Store extra bars in the refrigerator with parchment paper or foil in between the layers to prevent them from sticking.
* Quick-cooking oats are the same as old-fashioned, rolled oats but they are coarsely chopped so that they cook faster. If you only have old-fashioned oats, you can give them a quick whir in the food processor to make quick-cooking oats. Use about 1 ¾ cup old-fashioned oats to yield 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats.
They look like a great snack and I love the fact that you don't even need to bake them.
Thanks so much! I love no-bake recipes too!
I can't tell you how much I love and appreciate no-bake granola bars! These are going on the to-make list for sure. Loving the cookbook, Sonali!!
Thanks Alanna! I'm so happy that you like the book 🙂
Congrats on the release of your new cookbook! I am a huge fan of granola bars and can't wait to try these.
Thanks so much Ashley!
This is just one of the many recipes in your cookbook I love!
Yay! That's so great to hear!
I'm always looking for new easy granola bar recipes! Thanks for this!
You're welcome! I hope you like them if you try them 🙂
I love having healthy, homemade granola bars on hand. I love how these ones are now bake, thanks so much for sharing!
So do I! Thanks Cara!
I am all about the chocolate + cherry combination! I still haven't tried making my own granola bars yet though–will hopefully be able to do that once things kinda calm down!
I hope things calm down soon! Then you have to try making your own granola bars, there are so many awesome recipes out there 🙂
only if I had your recipe when my grown up boys were still at school…but you know that means more for me now…I love them and yes Chocolate and Cherry are a match made in heaven xoxo
I couldn't agree more, chocolate and cherry is such a delicious combo! Thanks so much for the lovely comment <3
I love that you don't even have to bake these! And oats, chocolate and cherries are one of my favorite flavor combinations – these look fantastic!
Thanks so much Marissa 🙂
these are so much better for you than chewy granola bars, and tastier!!!! 🙂
Yay, glad you like them 🙂
oooo yum!!! All my favorite flavors in one bar!
Thanks Nicole!
Cherries and chocolate ARE THE BEST combination 🙂 I'm so sad that I COMPLETELY forgot about this months recipe redux with some chaotic things going on, because I love my nut recipes! These look delicious Sonali! And congrats on the cookbook!
xo,
Sarah Grace
Thanks so much Sarah! It's a bummer that you missed the redux, I know you have awesome nutty recipes!
I love no bake snacks and these sound fantastic! Love the nuts and dried fruit combo 🙂
Thanks Caroline!
Oh granola bars – my go to meal when I'm overworked and short on time!! Love the cherry and chocolate combo – that's one of my go to recipe flavors!
I couldn't agree more! Thanks Sam 🙂
Chocolate + cherry!? Yummy!! These look like the perfect snack 🙂
I just love that combo! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
YES! Love homemade bars that are filled with nuts and chocolate! Great recipe, Sonali!
Thanks so much Lisa!
This recipe actually makes me really really sad, because I really want two or three! 🙁
Don't be sad! I promise not to judge 🙂
Congratulations on the release of your cookbook! That is spectacular! I had no clue nuts had a national day all to themselves. I can't think of a better way to celebrate them than these granola bars! These look fantastic! LOVE that they are no bake and I love that they are jam packed with so much good for you and delicious ingredients! These are perfect! I'll take 2 or 10 please 😉 Cheers and thanks for sharing the YUM!
I've been craving some home made granola bars – I don't know how I missed these in your book – I can't wait to make them!
These look DELICIOUS. They look my favorite childhood granola bar!
Must these be refrigerated after they are made?
They don’t have to be refrigerated but they’ll last longer in the fridge. It also helps them solidify faster.