Protein-packed and nutrient-rich, these no-bake granola bars are made with 100% cacao sweetened with maple syrup, and make the perfect grab-and-go snack.
In preparation for our train trip to Santa Fe, I needed snacks. From that need, these no-bake granola bars with maple-sweetened dark chocolate were born.
True to form, high summer temps have finally arrived in Kansas City. The thought of making these granola bars without an oven was a welcome one.
In pursuit of grab-and-go snacks and breakfast items, these gluten-free granola bars definitely fit the bill.
The maple-sweetened dark chocolate I dipped the bars in came from Jennifer Katzinger's cookbook, Honey & Oats. It will likely be my go-to for dairy-free dark chocolate from now on.
At the heart of these gluten-free bars are nuts and seeds. From almonds and walnuts to pepitas and chia seeds, they pack a nutritional punch (just like this chia seed pudding!).
Granola Bars Ingredients
Granola Bars IngredientsHere are the major ingredients you will need:
- Raw almonds
- Raw pecans
- Raw walnuts
- Raw pepitas
- Chia seeds
- Almond butter
- Maple syrup
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Vanilla extract
You can easily sub in different types of nuts. Or, leave the chocolate off entirely. Versatile and low-stress. Happy weekend, y'all!
More Recipes with Granola
Healthy Chocolate Granola Bars
Fruit and Yogurt Granola Tarts
📖 Recipe
No-Bake Granola Bars with Maple-Sweetened Dark Chocolate {GF + V}
Ingredients
For the bars
- 1 cup raw almonds
- ½ cup raw pecans chopped
- ¼ cup raw walnuts chopped
- ¼ cup raw pepitas
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ cup creamy salted almond butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
For the maple-sweetened dark chocolate
- 8- ounces dairy-free unsweetened chocolate chopped
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- To toast nuts, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the almonds, pecans, walnuts, and pepitas on a cookie sheet and toast in oven for 5-8 minutes, careful not to burn.
- Set toasted nuts aside and allow to cool. In a small saucepan, combine almond butter and maple syrup on low heat. Once thoroughly combined, add vanilla extract and pinch of salt. Place nuts in a large bowl, add chia seeds and almond butter mixture. Stir until nut mixture is evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to the lined baking dish, and using a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap, press mixture into baking dish until packed.
- Place baking dish in fridge for at least 30 minutes before removing from dish and cutting into bars.
- Once the bars are chilled and firm, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or metal bowl placed over a saucepan that has a few inches of simmering water (careful to not allow water to touch bowl). Use a rubber spatula to stir and scrape sides of bowl. When the chocolate has melted, whisk in vanilla extract, maple syrup, and salt. Once combined, remove from heat.
- Dip one side of each granola bar into chocolate and place on a piece of parchment paper to harden.
- Keep bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Tricia
THESE ARE SO DELICIOUS! I just made these and I absolutely love them :) Thanks for the great recipe!
Tessa
Ah, thank you, Tricia! I am so glad you loved them. It is one of my favorites as well! :)
Rebecca
I'm sorry but I hate maple anything can I substitute with agave or brown rice syrup?
Tessa
I think brown rice syrup would work pretty well as a sub!
Anna
these look so perfect to eat on the go!!
Tessa
Thank you, Anna! One of my favorites!
hochzeit
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Marissa | Pinch and Swirl
These are gorgeous and so simple! Thank you!
Tessa
Thanks so much, Marissa! Hope you enjoy!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Gosh..these granola bars look so darn good! I wouldn't be able to stop eating them until they were all gone!
Tessa
Thanks, Angie! They can be a little addictive. :)
Sarah | Drool-Worthy
Beautiful! Can't wait to keep following your stuff! :)
Tessa
Thanks so much, Sarah!
zeev
" NOBAKE GRANOLA BARS WITH MAPLE_SWEETENED DARK CHOCOLATE"
your top line says " made with 100% cacao" yet the recipe calls for melted bar. Please tell me how do use cacao.
I have made it with chocolate and it is outstanding, but today i am restricted (cannot find none dairy chocolate)
Zeev
Tessa
Thanks, Zeev! I like to use Ghirardelli Chocolate Baking Bars for making the maple-sweetened dark chocolate. It is made from 100% cacao unsweetened chocolate and dairy-free. You could also buy Enjoy Life brand dark chocolate bars or chocolate chips for this. All of their products are dairy-free. You can find Enjoy Life brand products on Amazon. I hope this helps!
Alissa
hot dang these are hawt!
Tessa
Haha, well, thank you!! :)
Kathryne
I'll admit that I'm not a fan of pre-packaged granola bars but THESE. These looks totally awesome. Especially with those chocolate-dipped bottoms. Let's hang out this weekend!
Tessa
Thank you! YES, let's!