These easy gluten-free No Bake Apricot Almond Granola Bars are sweetened with honey and packed with almonds, apricots, flaxseeds, and puffed millet.
In the last week, I've found myself checking the date on more than one occasion. Kansas City summers are known to be hot and humid, sometimes oppressively so, but the month of June traditionally eases us into it. What a week ago was called a "heat wave," I am starting to fear may be here to stay. It's hot, you guys.
In all attempts to avoid the oven, these no bake apricot almond granola bars may be my new favorite snack. In addition to the chopped almonds and apricots, the bars are packed with whole grain puffed millet, flaxseeds, and unsweetened coconut.
I can usually find puffed millet in the health section of our local grocery store, but it can also be found online. Puffed quinoa would be an easy swap for the millet as well.
The secret to these no bake granola bars is packing the mixture down in the pan before placing in the freezer to set. Also, due to being sweetened with honey or agave, they are a bit sticky and I would advise against leaving in a hot car. (Not that I would know.)
And because hot summer days should be as effortless as possible, wrapping these no bake apricot almond granola bars individually with plastic wrap makes for an easy grab-and-go snack. Stay cool, friends.
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No Bake Apricot Almond Granola Bars (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried apricots chopped
- 1 ½ cups almonds roughly chopped
- ¼ cup flaxseeds
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¾ cup puffed millet or puffed quinoa
- ½ cup honey or agave syrup
- ½ cup unsalted creamy almond butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch or two of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grease a 8x8 baking pan and line bottom with parchment paper, allowing paper to hang over two sides of pan. This will help in the removal of the bars.
- In a large bowl, combine apricots, almonds, flaxseeds, coconut, and puffed millet. In a small saucepan, combine honey and almond butter over low heat. Stir occasionally until mixture is evenly combined. Add salt, then vanilla extract and combine. Remove from heat.
- Pour the almond butter mixture over the the dry ingredients. Stir until the dry ingredients are completely coated. Transfer mixture to prepared pan and spread to fill pan evenly. Using an extra piece of parchment paper, pack the mixture down, making sure to pack sides and corners as well.
- Place in freezer for 45 minutes to set. To cut into bars: Use the parchment paper to lift the set mixture out of pan. Allow to sit and soften for a few minutes before then cutting into bars. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Aysegul Sanford
Love this recipe Tessa!
Tessa
Thank you! It is one of my favorites! <3
Alaina @ A Not So Quiet Kitchen
I love that these are no-bake, It's starting to get pretty hot up here in Washington as well and with no air conditioner I'm thankful for any food I don't have to put in the oven! I haven't ever had much luck making my own granola bars, they always fall into crumbs for me. I'm going to be trying my hand at these though, they sound so delicious!!
Tessa
Oh gosh, yes. No AC equals no oven in my book! ;) I think the key is packing those granola down well - I've had similar issues before too! Thanks so much, Alaina!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Hooray for puffed Millet! So good Tessa and the fact that their no bake.. even better! Grab n' go is my thing. Dried apricots are a pantry staple! I use them sooo much and love the sweetness they impart to granola and bars. What a pain that it's soooo hot! Hard to believe, but it feels like Fall around here. I was all like whaaaa...? this morning with clouds and cool breezes. I'm welcoming it, because I prefer the cold to the heat. I don't think I could bear 90+ degree temps! Sending you cool air Tessa! xo
Emily
I've got so much catching up to do here! Puffed millet is one of my favorites to add in snacking bars too... it adds such a fun texture and a certain lightness to the bars, right? Apricot and almonds are a great pair too. Delish, Tessa!
Tessa
It really does! I always seem to gravitate towards it over puffed quinoa for some reason. Thank you, Emily! <3
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
well you wouldn't know it but this post just sent me on an exploration of both Kansas cities and their history (I was trying to understand why Kansas City was in Missouri so this Canadian took a little geographic/historic tour). Yes, too hot for the oven indeed (in either city :d) but, in truth, unbaked bars are my favorite no matter the weather. I'm a fan of their unique texture. I've not used puffed grains but it would be fun to experiment - I'm also wondering about dehydrated some of our fresh apricots... my boys adore dried apricot. What a lovely recipe and thank you for inspiring a little tour of your region.
Tessa
I love it, Kelly!! Those of us that live on the Missouri side are quick to correct and explain if someone refers to us as being from Kansas. ;) Haha. While Kansas City is in Missouri, it is really one big metropolitan area on both sides of the state line. I work in a private school on the state line and have students from both Missouri and Kansas! I just love dried apricots too and like the idea of dehydrating your own. YUM! xoxo.
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado
AMEN for no bake snacks in the summer! I never feel like using my oven on hot summer days, so these granola bars are the mod perfect breakky or snack! I love the apricot and almond flavor!
Tessa
Thanks, Bethany! I know, I feel ya, I have had no desire to turn the oven on in this heat! <3
Tori//Gringalicious
I can feel my munchies coming on just looking at these! I seriously need to be eating one asap!
Tessa
Hahaha, I totally approve them for breakfast too! :) Thank you, Tori!
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek
oooh I love these! I keep meaning to make some granola bars--especially ones like these that combine so many unique ingredients. Cannot WAIT to try! :) xoxo
Tessa
I'm so glad! These make for a hearty breakfast or snack and I like that there is some hidden protein and fiber in there. ;) Thank you, Kelsey! xoxo.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Some warmer weather is headed my way too Tessa, so these will be the perfect no-bake option for breakfast/snacking! Love the apricots! They're a favorite of mine. Can't wait to try!
Tessa
I always forget how much I love apricots - dried or fresh - until I buy then again! Stay cool this week! It's supposed to be 105 here today..eek! <3