Super easy gluten free No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars! These bars perfect for an easy snack!
A brand new year! How do you feel about new beginnings? I have always been partial to them. I love a fresh, clean planner full of possibilities.
In school I loved the beginning of the year with brand new notebooks, empty folders, it just felt like anything could happen. New is nice, it is exciting!
I don’t generally make New Years resolutions but I know many people do. Probably the most common resolution is to eat a bit healthier.
These No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are a great way to eat a bit healthier without giving up your sweet tooth! These simple granola bars are packed with gluten free oats, pecans, peanut butter, honey and of course a healthy dose of chocolate chips!
I usually make a double batch on Sundays to have as a quick snack when your sweet tooth is calling or something easy to pack in lunches.
This is also very easy to adapt to your own preferences. For example, adding in white chocolate chips, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, coconuts, raisins, or anything else in your cabinet would work!
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Peanut butter
- Honey
- Coconut oil
- Gluten-free old fashioned oats
- Pecans (or walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.)
- Chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips, M&M’s, crushed candies, dried fruit, etc.)
- Protein powder (optional)
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How to make Gluten Free Granola Bars
These are super easy–Just mix & freeze to set! No cooking required whatsoever! Just follow these steps below:
- In a microwaveable bowl or small sauce pan melt peanut butter, coconut oil, and honey and stir well.
- Add in protein powder (if you’re using it) and blend well. When mixture is combined, add oats and stir until oats are coated.
- Line an 8×8 pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking oil. Spread mixture into pan (it will be very thick).
- Top with pecans and chocolate chips and place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes until well-set. Then peel foil off, cut into bars, and store in fridge.
What kind of oats should you use in no-bake granola bars?
You’ll see four major types of oats at the grocery store–Which should you pick? For this recipe, I recommend old-fashioned rolled oats. In my opinion, these lend just the right chewy texture: not too soft, not too coarse. Here’s a little guide to help you choose which to use in different recipes:
- Steel Cut Oats: These are the least processed. Instead of being “rolled” or flattened, they are coarsely chopped. They require a decent amount of cooking to become soft and they don’t absorb as much liquid as rolled oats, so these are great in stews and stuffings.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These are the second-least processed. These are steamed, rolled, and flaked. These oats are loved in baked goods and overnight oatmeal because they soak up a bit of moisture and become soft and chewy.
- Quick-Cooking Rolled Oats: These are highly processed as they are steamed, dried, cut, and rolled thin. They cook faster than the two types above and soak up tons of moisture, often resulting in them “disappearing” into soft baked goods (sometimes making them too soft to pick up in one piece). Many people prefer these in their no-bake cookies, though!
- Instant Rolled Oats: These are the most processed as they are made to be cooked extremely quickly. These can become very mushy, and the gummy texture is not recommended in baked goods or these no-bake treats.
Other No-Bake Snacks:
There are tons of snacks you can prepare without needing to cook a thing! These No-Bake Toasted Coconut and Almond Granola Bars (no oats required!) are great for breakfast, as is this Banana Tahini Smoothie.
Chia puddings are the perfect no-bake, meal prep option! Try tons of varieties like this Healthy Mocha, this Peanut Butter Cup, or these great Lemon & Fruit options!
This Healthy Chickpea Salad is a great option for a no-bake lunch or dinner! Try this Cucumber, Avocado, and Tomato Salad to bring a great bite of no-fuss summer! Dips are another easy, no-cook way to snack! Try this Easy Feta Hummus or this Lima Bean Salsa!
When planning a fun party or get-together, snacks that require no cooking allow you to actually spend your time with guests instead of in the kitchen! Use some pre-toasted baguette slices and make this delicious Sweet Peach Bruschetta to pair with The Perfect Charcuterie Board.
For dessert, try this gluten-free, oat-free, low-carb twist on the No Bake Cookies (and this peanut butter version!). There’s also Keto Cookie Dough, No-Bake Peppermint Mocha Pie, and this impressive, layered No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Lush!
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 1/2 cup gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon protein powder (optional)
Instructions
- In a microwaveable bowl or small sauce pan melt first three ingredients and stir well.
- Add in protein powder (optional) and blend well. When mixture is combined, add oats and stir until oats are coated.
- Line an 8x8 pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking oil. Spread mixture into pan (it will be very thick).
- Top with pecans and chocolate chips and place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes until well set. Then peel foil off, cut into bars, and store in fridge.
Notes
Nutrition Information does NOT include protein powder.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 bars Serving Size: 1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 229Total Fat: 15.9gSaturated Fat: 7.2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 63mgCarbohydrates: 19.5gNet Carbohydrates: 17.5gFiber: 2gSugar: 12.9gProtein: 4.9g
Adapted and inspired by The Marathon Mom’s blog, if you would like to take a look at her version the link is here.
More Peanut Butter Treats
Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
Dr. Pepper Floats with Warm Peanut Butter Fudge
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