These homemade Healthy Chewy Gluten-Free Granola Bars are chocked full of oats, sunflower seeds, cranberries, flax seeds, chocolate chips, and sweetened with honey! A delicious gluten-free and dairy-free snack.
These healthy chewy granola bars are chocked full of the good stuff.
Whole-grain oats, almond flour, cranberries, sunflower seeds, flax seed, and chocolate chips, make this a delicious option come snack time.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy recipe
- A healthy snack that can be made ahead
- No artificial flavors or high-fructose corn syrup!
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card below.
Oats - Affordable, easy to find, what's not to love? While naturally gluten-free, check for certified gluten-free on the packaging if you need to avoid wheat cross-contamination.
Almond flour - This gluten-free flour helps bind things together. If needed, gluten-free oat flour can be substituted by weight.
Flaxseeds - I love using seeds in energy bites, so I've added them to this granola mixture. They add a good dose of protein and fatty acids. Feel free to sub in chia seeds or hemp seeds.
Sunflower seeds - These little seeds have a great crunch and flavor as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Pumpkin seeds or pepita would make a great substitute.
Dried cranberries - Adding a pop of flavor and texture, dried cherries or other small dried fruit would work well as a swap.
Coconut oil - A healthy fat and the ingredient that helps hold things together plus gives our gluten-free bars their chewy texture.
Honey - This is a great way to add sweetness without adding refined sugar. Maple syrup would work as a sub here. It doesn't have to be organic maple syrup but do make sure it is 100% pure if following a gluten-free diet.
Dairy-free chocolate chips - Whether you prefer dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips, it's totally up to you! Of course, if dairy is not an issue, real chocolate chips are fine too.
Video
How to make gluten-free granola bars
Before you start: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 pan with coconut oil or line it with parchment paper.
Step 1: Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Pour the wet ingredients—cooled coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract—into a well in the center of the bowl. Stir with a rubber spatula until the mixture is evenly coated.
Step 3: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and using a piece of parchment paper, press the mixture firmly down into a single layer in the pan.
Step 4: Bake until lightly golden, then cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing. Store baked snacks wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe tips
- Lining your pan with parchment and leaving an overhang means you can easily remove the entire baked bar once cool. This will allow you to use a very sharp knife and cut clean bars. It's not easy to slice with the sides of the pan in the way!
- Overbaking will result in crunchy granola bars that may crumble slightly once cut. Still delicious!
FAQs
Store the cooled and sliced bars in an airtight container. For an even easier grab-and-go quick snack, wrap it in foil or other wrappers. You can even wrap it individually and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reach for gluten-free old-fashioned or rolled oats for these healthy whole-grain bars. They will allow for the best texture. Instant oats or quick oats won't have the same result.
Store-bought granola bars can be gluten-free, but it depends on the specific brand. Traditional granola bars often contain naturally gluten-free oats, but there is a risk of cross-contamination during processing with gluten-containing grains.
Some manufacturers offer gluten-free granola bars, which are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities. To ensure that a granola bar is gluten-free, it's important to check the product's label or make your own at home!
More gluten-free granola bars
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Healthy Chewy Gluten-Free Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free oats
- 1 cup (110g) almond flour/meal
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- ⅓-1/2 cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ½ cup melted coconut oil allow to cool a few minutes
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup to make vegan
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 pan with coconut oil or line with parchment paper. Parchment paper will yield a cleaner removal.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, almond flour, cinnamon, salt, ground flax seed, chocolate chips, cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour cooled coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to prepared pan and using a a piece of parchment paper, press mixture firmly down into pan.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes or until sides and top start to turn a golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Once completely cool, use a sharp knife to cut into bars.
- To store: Wrap individually with plastic wrap or foil or store in an airtight container at room temperature. To freeze: Wrap individually with plastic wrap or foil and store in an airtight container or freezer-safe ziplock bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Lining your pan with parchment and leaving an overhang means you can easily remove the entire baked bar once cool. This will allow you to use a very sharp knife and cut clean bars. It's not easy to slice with the sides of the pan in the way!
- Overbaking will result in crunchy bars that may crumble slightly once cut. Still delicious!
Darlene Zubik
These are perfect and exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a granola bar with real oats, not the quick kind, and I wanted them baked. These are so good. Thanks Tessa!
Tessa
Thank you, Darlene!
Andrea Berlatsky
Love this recipe! I added sesame seeds 😊
Tessa
Thank you!! Oh, sesame seeds sound great!
Rachel
Wow. These are the best granola bars ever. Changes I made: added 3 T cocoa powder, used 1:1 ratio honey to maple syrup, omitted fruit, and used 1:1 ratio of cassava and GF flour blend. Complete perfection. Thank You!
Tessa
Amazing! Thanks so much, Rachel!
Lori
These are the best!!! I’ve made these multiple times!
Tessa
That's awesome! Thank you, Lori!
Niki
Hello! Are these suitable for freezing? How long would they last in the fridge please?
Charity
what could be used instead of almond flour/meal so that they can taken to school for snacks?
Charity
cassava flour? regular white flour?
Marybeth Buonaiuto
These are absolutely delicious!!!
Tessa
Thank you, Marybeth! :)
Charity
unfortunately schools don't allow for nuts or nut products ie. almond flour, has anyone tried oat flour or whole wheat flour instead?
Stephanie
Yes, I’ve done regular whole wheat flour and it works just fine.
Sarah L.
These are delicious and so easy to make!
Tessa
Thank you, Sarah!
Joe LeRoy
Delicious!
Tessa
Thank you!
Carol McHugh
These are delicious!!!
Tessa
Thanks so much! I'm so glad!
Ez
Than you. They turned out delicious. We omitted cranberries and added more maple syrup because the mixture was too dry. We will def be making this again.
Tessa
That's great! Thanks so much.
Amanda
What should I use as a substitute for almond flour? I am allergic:)
Katlien Gargano
Hi! Is there a substitute for the ground flex? Thank you
Nancy
I just made these and they are delicious ! Having one for an after dinner treat . Not to soft and not to hard Just chewy and delicious ! Will definitely recommend these Thanks for the great recipe
Tessa
Thank you, Nancy! I'm so glad you liked them!
Raquel
Delicious