Easy 5-Ingredient Homemade Granola Bars (No-Bake)
Quick no-bake granola bars made with just 5 simple ingredients. Chewy, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep. Ready in under an hour with no oven required!
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick cooking oats not rolled oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter smooth consistency needed
- 1/4 cup honey plus extra if needed
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips regular size works too
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds optional but recommended
- pinch salt optional, to taste
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon optional, for warmth
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine quick cooking oats, peanut butter, honey, mini chocolate chips, and sliced almonds. Add optional salt and cinnamon if using.
- Mix vigorously with a sturdy wooden spoon or rubber spatula for about 2 minutes until everything is evenly coated and the mixture is thick and sticky. The mixture should clump together when squeezed. If too crumbly, add another tablespoon of honey.
- Line an 8x8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, letting the paper hang over the edges by at least 2 inches on opposite sides to create handles.
- Transfer the sticky mixture into the prepared pan. Using the back of your spatula or a flat-bottomed measuring cup, press down firmly and evenly for 30-45 seconds, compressing the mixture into every corner. Press hard to ensure bars hold together.
- Place the pan in the freezer uncovered for 45-60 minutes until firm. Alternatively, refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
- Remove from freezer and lift the entire block out using the parchment paper handles. Place on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the block in half down the middle, then cut each half into 6 equal rectangles to make 12 bars. Wipe knife between cuts for cleaner slices.
Notes
Storage: Wrap bars individually in parchment paper or plastic wrap. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen bars for 10-15 minutes before eating.
Substitutions: Use almond butter instead of peanut butter. Replace almonds with pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds. For nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter and skip the almonds.
Variations: Add chia seeds, ground flaxseed, or dried cranberries. Keep total add-ins to 1 cup maximum for proper binding.
Tip: If peanut butter is thick or separated, microwave for 15-20 seconds before mixing to make combining easier.