This post is about two things:
1) A recent freezer baking session which resulted in some grab & go snacks for my kids’ lunches – including the delicious Chewy, No-Bake Granola Bars pictured above.
2) Secondly – and possibly more importantly – the brilliance of including friends in such endeavors.
Meet my friend Elizabeth:
A while back, Elizabeth mentioned to me that she was planning to attempt a freezer baking session in order to stock her freezer with some healthy, unprocessed snacks for her kids’ lunches.
I very timidly and sweetly begged asked nicely, “CAN I COME??” She graciously responded with a yes, we set a date, she sent me her Pinterest board of ideas, we collaborated on ingredients needed, and several emails later, the plans were all in place.
In full disclosure, the day that I headed to her house to bake was a busy one, and I arrived feeling weary and unsure whether I had what it takes to be a good Freezer Baker (whatever that means).
From the second I walked into Elizabeth’s door, I felt the tensions of the day begin to ease. Soon, our freezer baking session turned into an afternoon with a friend – and some baking happened to take place in the process.
That’s what I call multi-tasking at its finest.
Two hours later, I walked out the door with four snacks and breakfast items to stock my freezer, and a refreshed heart.
Here’s what we accomplished in our time together:
-Chewy, No-Bake Granola Bars (recipe below)
–Homemade Instant Oatmeal “packets”
Now onto the main event – the recipe you’ve all been waiting for!
Homemade, Chewy, No-Bake Granola Bars
Elizabeth introduced me to this delightful recipe. It couldn’t be much easier to make and these taste approximately 12,000 times better than your average store-bought granola bar. Plus they are so filling! I cut mine up and placed them in baggies in the freezer so they are easy to just grab and throw in my mouth son’s lunch (ahem). They taste delicious frozen too (ask me how I know).
I used peanut butter, but you could switch out for another nut butter if there are allergy issues or your child is in a peanut-free classroom.
Here is the recipe (adapted from Five Heart Home):
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (or mini chocolate chips)
Directions:
- In a medium pot, melt together nut butter, honey, and coconut oil over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from stove and stir in oats and coconut.
- Pour mixture into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Spread into an even layer, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and firmly press down with the back of a spatula.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm, then slice into squares or bars and remove from pan.
- Store granola bars in the refrigerator or freezer, individually wrapped in baggies. Or if you don’t plan to pack them in lunches, you can simply store them in an airtight container (I use this one) with wax paper separating the layers.
Easy peasy and delicious! My favorite kind of recipe.
Stay tuned for the rest of the recipes soon.
These are a favorite in my family. I have tried other recipes but I always end up going back to this one 🙂
So glad to hear that, Paula!
try rice crispies as a coconut sub. adds great texture
Great looking recipe! Wondering if the oats can be substituted for something else? Like almond meal/flour?
Thanks!
I use this as a base to go off of, and add in whatever I have. I melt the cup of pb with the 1/2 cup honey and half cup coconut oil, then I mix in 3.5 cups of dry ingredients. I use a lot less of the oatmeal, and use chopped nuts, ground flax seed, and even a scoop or two of protein powder. Then I stick them in the fridge, cut them, and drizzle them with melted dark chocolate. It seems that the ratio of 2 cups “wet” to 3.5 cups “dry” ingredients tends to hold together quite nicely, and the family loves them.
How cool are these?! I love this idea so much…I can’t wait to give them a try! I featured your recipe in my Sunday Morning Coffee Cafe this week!
I use Wow butter due to peanut/nut allergies and add craisins and salted sunflower seeds. Awesome!
I substituted lightly sweetened sunflower butter and used gluten free oats to make these nut and gluten free. They were a hit at my Women’s Bible study this morning! I was hoping to bring some home, but they were all eaten within 30 minutes.
Thanks for this great recipe!
Thanks for sharing that, Meridyth! So glad to hear those substitutes worked well for you.
Hi! do you know how many calories are in these?
Unfortunately, I don’t. Sorry!
How many squares do you cut them in ? I will do a nutrition search
I’d say approximately 12-15, April.
They look yummy! Have never made homemade Granola Bars. They must be delicious if they go quite quickly in your house. Thanks for sharing!
These look great! Is there a substitution for coconut oil? I’ve never used that so don’t have it on hand
I am not aware of any substitutions, Tina, but that doesn’t mean there are any. I suppose butter is an option, but that would certainly make them less healthy.
I shop at ALDI and they just recently started carrying coconut oil, so I grabbed some the other day. Now I need to find more yummy recipes to put it in!
Just made these and they are delicious! I used craisins instead of the coconut shavings because my husband doesn’t like coconut. However I think the coconut would be much better. I also added chia seeds. This is a keeper!
LOVE your substitutions and additions, Steph! I think I’m going to try adding craisins next too. It’s hard to go wrong with these.
How long do they keep, in the freezer?
I wish I knew the answer to that, but we go through them rather quickly in our house! They should be fine for at least a month, I would guess.
These look delicious and I can’t wait to try. I do have a question though. If I use Natural Peanut butter do I need to add additional oil as peanut butter like Jiff has added oils.
Hi, Marcie! I apologize that I missed your comment. I think opting to use natural peanut butter should not be a problem as I’ve heard of others who have tried it in this recipe successfully. If you do, let me know how it goes!
I always use natural peanut butter and follow the rest exactly. It works great and my family loves them!
Can i use butter instead of coconut oil? Just ran out of it
Hmmm…I’m honestly not sure, Anete. Sorry!
Remember that “most” schools are peanut free. Please refrain from sending peanut or other nut recipes for students’
Snacks or meals.
My kids aren’t fans of shredded coconut. Any substitution recommendations for that ingredient?
I would omit the coconut and add more chocolate chips instead! How about M & M’s or craisins?!
I think I’m gonna try making these in my ‘prefect brownie pan’, then no cutting necessary! Thanks for the easy recipe idea!
Great idea, Annette! Enjoy. 🙂
These. Look. Delicious!!! I am definitely saving this recipe. And for once I have everything on hand. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Nik! They are. 🙂