No Bake Healthy Granola Bars

You guys! These No Bake Healthy Granola Bars are good. Like ridiculously off the charts kind of good. SO much healthier than anything you can buy in the grocery store and made with minimal, whole ingredients. Plus they’re made with a lot of love….how could you go wrong?

It’s no secret that our family is super active and on the go quite a bit. But then, what young family isn’t on the go these days? I’m constantly shoving snacks in ski jacket pockets, tennis bags, snowboarding boots, soccer bags and the console in my car to keep family fueled. Whether it’s after school activities, snowboarding and skiing, hiking the dogs or on our way to swimming or soccer practice, I always toting something around for when that “hangry” feeling hits. And to be honest, I’m not sure which is worse: a hungry and angry mama driving down the road or the two whiney boys in the back seat….

Pretty sure it’s the former. 🙂

When my boys were younger, I used to buy the Costco size boxes of fruit snacks and granola bars. While not totally horrible, neither really did much in terms of filling anyone up. It would appease them for a short time but within 20 minutes the boys would be asking for yet another “snack” because they still needed more. Meanwhile I was in the front seat eating from the baggie I’d packed for myself that was full of raw nuts and dried fruit. Something was wrong here. Why was I not giving my kiddos the same nutritious snacks that I was myself?

I started rethinking the snack situation in our house and decided we needed a total overhaul. It was time that I put as much thought into their snacks as I was mine. Away went the packaged granola bars and fruit snacks (although they still both get the occasional store bought granola bar) and instead I started putting together more well rounded bites to keep them fueled. It was a gradual change and one that the boys transitioned into nicely. Mostly because when you’re hungry, you’re hungry- you’ll eat anything! Some of our favorites have become a cut up apple + a scoop of nut butter, string cheese with a handful of pistachios and some dried mango, a cut up orange with a handful of whole grain crackers and some jerky, and our current favorite, a hard boiled egg paired with a homemade granola bar.

I’ve literally made a dozen different homemade granola bars over the past few years. I’m constantly trying and tinkering with new recipes. Gotta keep it fresh, am I right? These No Bake Healthy Granola Bars quickly became one of my favorites. I love the balance of salty and sweet- a sprinkle of sea salt on top of a dark chocolate drizzle takes care of that. These bars are nicely but not overly sweetened due to medjool dates and honey. There is a nice crunch from the pecans, almonds and oats and while you could use whatever nut butter you’ve got on hand, cashew butter my favorite. These are ridiculously easy to make and they freeze beautifully for grab-and-go ease!

What’s your favorite snack for on the go? I’d love to hear what you pack in your pocket, purse, or car console for you and/your kids! How was everyone’s long weekend? Hope you’re doing something fun today! As always, thanks for reading!! xoxo, Kelley

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No Bake Healthy Granola Bars

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Ingredients

• 8 pitted dates
• 1/4 cup cashew butter (any nut butter will work)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil
• pinch coarse sea salt such as Maldon, optional

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Instructions

1. Process dates in a food processor until only small pieces remain.
2. Warm cashew butter, honey and vanilla extract in a small sauce pan over low heat; Add mixture to the dates and process until a dough like consistency is formed.
3. Add the oats, pecans and almonds and pulse until well combined and nuts are slightly broken up and you have a consistent mixture.
4. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish lined with plastic wrap- this will help for easy removal! Press the bars into the pan using either your hands or the back of a glass to really compress the bars.
5. Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave in 20 second increments until melted. Drizzle the chocolate over the bars and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt if desired.
6. Place bars in the freezer for 30 or so minutes.
7. Remove bars from pan and chop into 12 even bars. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days or wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to eat.