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Homemade Paleo Granola Bars (V, GF): the BEST grain free granola bars recipe—chewy & satisfying, packed with nutty crunch and simple, whole ingredients. Gluten Free, Vegan, Paleo, Protein-Rich, Dairy-Free.
Are you a big fan of granola bars? When I was a little kid, I absolutely despised them. Like, by granola bars, do you mean those at-once crumbly and super hard things that could easily break my little teeth off and usually have no chocolate at all?
I couldn’t understand granola bars and I didn’t want to. All I knew was that if I was getting a granola bar from my mom, I wasn’t getting a cookie, too. I wasn’t one of those cool kids who liked healthy stuff, anyway. (Plus, let’s be honest, granola bars were not what they are today—I might as well have been eating a plate of cookies. .)
But today, as a fully-realized (okay, half-realized-ish) adult, I can say that I am able to tolerate granola bars. Hehe!! Just kidding—I love granola bars. As long as they’re made with ingredients that can’t basically swap recipes and should basically become junk food cookies already, and they’re soft & chewy with crispy edges.
Chewy Paleo Granola Bars, Here We Come!!
Yep, I still can’t stand granola bars that can/will have ill-intent to break one’s teeth. I need those, ya know? So today, I’m sharing the homemade paleo granola bars recipe to end all homemade paleo granola bars recipes. It’s just kind of a bonus that these granola bars are grain free and paleo (I promise you’ll still love them if you’re gluten free & vegan, but don’t care for paleo snacks.)
But if you’re a fan of deliciously crispy edges, with a chewy center, I recommend using this granola bar pan. <– It’s my key to crispy granola bars with a soft & chewy center. If you want just soft & chewy paleo granola bars, then simply make your granola bars in an 8-inch square pan, bake, then slice. 🙂
My Favorite Homemade Paleo Granola Bars Recipe
My favorite homemade paleo granola bars recipe just happens to be my favorite homemade granola bars recipe of all time. They’re so easy to make, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free and gluten free. Plus, they’re packed with whole, healthy ingredients that you can feel good about. Extra bonus, you can easily customize this grain free granola bars recipe to suit your tastes.
The Taste & Texture: Grain Free Granola Bars Recipe
Speaking of taste, I know you’re dying to hear what these yummy homemade paleo granola bars taste like. These grain free granola bars are just slightly soft & chewy with a crispy exterior. They pack the most delicious nutty crunch, which is coated in the sweetness and most incredible aroma of pure maple syrup and just a touch of coconut sugar. You won’t believe how satisfying these paleo granola bars are—bursting with healthy ingredients that keep you full for longer.
Simple Ingredients for the BEST Homemade Paleo Granola Bars
I made sure to pack the best homemade paleo granola bars recipe with the best ingredients! Check out the benefits of the ingredients below.
Nuts: many readers have asked, so I’m here with the answer to, “What exact amount & type of nuts do you use?” While you can use whatever nuts you’d like in these paleo granola bars, I like to stick to 1/3 cup almonds, 1/3 cup pecans and 1/3 cup walnuts. I used roasted almonds, and raw pecans and walnuts.
Raw Coconut Chips: my favorite way to keep my paleo recipes grain free! These coconut chips keep the carbs down, and the flavor nice and high. What more could you want?
Pumpkin Seeds & Golden Ground Flaxseed: these paleo granola bars are packed with a whopping ¼ cup of ground flaxseed (if ya been baking with flaxseed a long time, you know what a feat this is) and a ¼ cup of pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds & flaxseed provide heart-healthy nutrients, are high in antioxidants and packed with minerals that are good for you.
Coconut Oil & Almond Butter: two of my favorite healthy fat ingredients! Coconut oil is my favorite way to avoid using dairy products such as butter and shortening. Coconut oil helps keep you full longer, has healthy fatty acids that can increase good cholesterol in your blood, and can help with brain function. Almond butter is full of minerals and good fats that are good for you!
Best Tools for this Homemade Paleo Granola Bar Recipe
- Granola Bar Pan: the funny thing is, I tested this paleo granola bar recipe so many times–once in an 8-inch square pan, once in the granola bar pan, once again in the 8-inch, then again in the granola bar pan. Then, repeat. Lol. Time and time again, Erik and I preferred the paleo granola bars made in the granola bar pan. They take a little longer to prep–as you’ll have to fill in the crevices & pack in the mixture–but that extra 5-7 minutes is totally worth it. You get the crispiest, most delightful edges. I felt more like I was eating a decadent dessert than a healthy paleo snack.
- Raw Coconut Chips: I actually snack on these! Of course, I would also find a way to sneak them into my paleo recipe, too! You’ll be blown away by how generous the coconut chips are in size, taste and aroma.
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Raw Coconut Chips | Pumpkin Seeds | Golden Ground Flaxseed | Paleo Nuts: Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts | Coconut Oil | Almond Butter
- Recommended Tools: Granola Bar Pan | my Favorite Small Prep Bowls | Silicone Spatulas | Glass Mixing Bowls | My Favorite Kitchen Timer!
Are you soooo ready to make some scrumptious homemade paleo granola bars or what? Let’s do it! I’ll grab the dry ingredients, you grab the wet! Be sure to let me know if you’ve made this recipe in the comments below. I love hearing from you. I’m truly so grateful to share in the kitchen moments with you and your loved ones. ‘Til the next baking adventure…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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Did you make this homemade paleo granola bar recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker & tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!
Grain Free Granola Bars (Paleo) & More!
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Homemade Paleo Granola Bars Recipe (Grain Free, Gluten Free, Oat Free)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup nuts, chopped*
- 2/3 cup unsweetened raw coconut chips
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup golden ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt, optional
Wet Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted natural creamy almond butter,
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Set aside this granola bar pan atop a medium baking sheet (for stability in the oven.) Or, line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or greased foil. I prefer using the granola bar pan; it creates a firmer bar with deliciously crispy edges & a chewy, crisp exterior. Set aside for later.
- Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl: nuts, coconut, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, and cinnamon & salt (if using). Stir until well mixed.
- Add all wet ingredients to a medium bowl: coconut sugar, coconut oil, almond butter and maple syrup. Whisk until well incorporated.
- Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until very well mixed.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared granola bar pan or baking pan. For the granola bar pan: scoop about 3 tablespoons of mixture into each crevice. Use a small, narrow spoon to press the mixture down into an evenly, very tightly packed layer. For the square baking pan: using the spatula, press mixture firmly down into an even, very tightly packed layer.
- Bake for 22-27 minutes. Mine took 25 minutes. Place granola bar pan + baking sheet, or baking pan, onto a cooling rack to cool for 50-60 minutes, or until completely firm. Then… for the granola bar pan: remove bars from pan and transfer directly onto a cooling rack; for the baking pan: lift bars and parchment paper onto the cooling rack. Allow to finish cooling for 1-2 hours. Slice into 12-18 bars (for baking pan only). Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Loved it! I was gutted to be told a couple of years ago following some blood tests to test for foods that trigger inflammation that I shouldn’t eat oats. I love flapjacks (it’s a British thing I think – sweet, crunchy/chewy and mainly oats!) as well as granola and porridge. All very oat-heavy! I’ve been making my own paleo granola for a while which I love but hadn’t found a decent granola bar recipe that could match up to my beloved flapjacks as a comforting, filling treat. I love ginger and dark chocolate so I added some chopped up dark chocolate and some chopped stem ginger. In the UK you can buy it in jars in sugar syrup. I didn’t have any maple syrup so used honey instead. They were divine! Thank you x
I’m so pleased to hear it, Emma! 🙂 As a big oat lover myself, I can only imagine. Dark chocolate and ginger sound soooo good together–I’ll have to try that! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out and the delicious flavor twist you added. 😉
If I cannot have flax, could I replace with chia seeds?
Hi Becca! I haven’t tried it myself, but if you do I’d say to use ground chia seeds. Let me know how it turns out!
Hey Demeter,
Is there a way to make these bars without any sugar? So no coconut sugar, no maple syrup, etc. I’m trying to cut refined carbs out of my diet. Thanks!
Can I use coconut flakes instead of chips
Hi Nancy, yes, those would work as well! 🙂 Hope you love them.
I also added dates. Soooo yummy.even my husband loves them. Making another patch
This may be a dumb question but is there a reason you use roasted almonds but raw pecans and raw walnuts? Would it work to use raw almonds? Do you do it for taste or are maybe the roasted almonds easier to chop?
Hi Pam, no such thing! 😉 I enjoy using roasted almonds because they have such a wonderful flavor and you won’t have to rely on the bake time to fully roast them. Raw pecans and raw walnuts are tasty as is (and frankly, can burn very quickly). Enjoy!
I just made your granola bars in an 8×8 pan…I got 12 bars…so easy and delicious.The granola bar pan you recommend has nine slots. Would I need more than one pan for your recipe? Thanks!
Hi Penny! I’m so happy you enjoyed my recipe. 🙂 Yep, I like to spread the granola bar mixture into two pans, it ends up making two extra bars in the second pan. However, you might be able to put it all in one pan and make thicker bars. 🙂
Hi Demeter,
I thank you for this recipe. It turned out amazing. I’ve never heard of a granola bar pan until I came across this recipe. in the past, I have tried to make granola bars, and they always crumbled when I cut them. So, they would end up being just granola. I love granola bars and will NEVER buy a granola bar in the store again. I put them in the freezer, since I’m the only one in my household that will eat them. That’s okay, I have them all to myself. The only thing I did that was different was add 2/3 cup of Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips and 1 cup of craisins. I am a happier baker since finding out that there’s such a thing as a granola bar pan.
Hi Cheri! I’m so so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, and the granola bar pan! Isn’t it so fun to use? .
I made these and I am so happy I did. They are delicious! I used a mix of pecans, walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts. Also I added about a 1/2 tsp. of turmeric. THEY ARE SO GOOD! I will be making these bars on a regular basis. Thank you!
Hi Laurie! I’m so happy that you’re happy. 🙂 Can you feel me beaming over here? 😉 I’m loving your addition of turmeric and hazelnuts!!! GENIUS. Happy baking!
We are always looking for new snacks to make for the kids! Love the pumpkin seeds!
Yes! Those are my fave! .
These Homemade Paleo Granola Bars are mouth watering!
Woohoo! So glad to hear it!